Credit: Marvel StudiosMarvel fans, prepare yourselves.
Because Black Panther 3 just got a devastating update, and it’s the kind of news that instantly makes the future of Wakanda feel uncertain all over again. For a franchise that has carried so much emotional weight inside the MCU, this is not the kind of development anyone wanted to see.
And it’s not just disappointing…it’s the kind of update that could completely reshape expectations for what Marvel’s next era will look like.
Fans have spent months assuming the next chapter would arrive sooner rather than later, especially with the MCU pushing toward its biggest crossover events yet.
But now? That confidence is starting to crack.
According to new information making the rounds, Marvel’s plan for Black Panther 3 may be far more frustrating than anyone imagined.
Black Panther’s Legacy Still Feels Untouchable
When Black Panther (2018) hit theaters, it wasn’t just another MCU origin story. It introduced Wakanda as one of the franchise’s most critical places, and it instantly became a fan favorite.
The movie didn’t just succeed financially. It became a cultural moment.
Then Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) arrived with an impossible challenge: continuing the story after the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa wasn’t just iconic; it was deeply meaningful. His impact still resonates across the Marvel fandom, and Wakanda Forever made it clear the franchise would honor him rather than replace him.
The film also pushed Shuri (Letitia Wright) forward, showing that Wakanda’s future could still evolve while keeping the story’s heart intact.
Marvel Has Shifted Focus to Doomsday and Secret Wars
Right now, Marvel Studios is clearly in Avengers mode.
The studio’s following big priorities are Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and those projects are pulling the franchise’s attention away from individual sequels.
A massive cast has already been confirmed or heavily tied to those upcoming films, including Professor X (Patrick Stewart), the Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), and even Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).
Shuri is also confirmed to be part of the mix, which means Letitia Wright will likely stay busy filming some of Marvel’s biggest productions.
And honestly, when you look at how packed this Avengers lineup is, it’s hard not to wonder how she would even have time to carry Black Panther 3 at the same time.
That’s where the disappointing update comes in.
Marvel’s Latest Black Panther 3 Update Isn’t What Fans Wanted
Marvel is still moving forward with Black Panther 3. The franchise isn’t dead, and Wakanda isn’t being left behind.
But fans may be waiting much longer than expected.
A report from insider Jeff Sneider suggests Marvel Studios wants to begin filming Black Panther 3 at the start of 2027. The goal would be to have the movie ready for a February 2028 release.
If that plan holds, it would create a gap of more than five years between Wakanda Forever and the next installment.
That’s an extremely long wait for a sequel, especially for one of Marvel’s biggest franchises.
Marvel Has Been Doing This With Sequels Lately
As frustrating as this sounds, Black Panther 3 wouldn’t be the first MCU sequel to face a massive delay.
Marvel has already developed a pattern of long gaps between non-Avengers films.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania took more than four years to arrive after its predecessor.
The Captain America franchise has seen an even bigger gap, with Captain America: Brave New World coming many years after audiences last got a true sequel.
Even Spider-Man’s next installment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, reflects another lengthy pause between releases.
So while a five-year wait for Black Panther 3 feels brutal, it fits Marvel’s recent trend.
Why Black Panther 3 Keeps Getting Pushed Back
The first reason is simple: Marvel is prioritizing Doomsday and Secret Wars. Those movies are expected to reshape the MCU, so Marvel’s entire schedule is built around them.
The second reason seems tied to director Ryan Coogler’s packed workload.
Coogler spent significant time focusing on his vampire film Sinners, and he’s still building out future projects. He even confirmed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that Black Panther 3 is planned after his upcoming X-Files reboot TV series.
In other words, Marvel may want the movie sooner, but Coogler isn’t ready to jump into it yet.
And Marvel probably doesn’t want to make Black Panther 3 without him.
What Will Black Panther 3 Be About?
Marvel hasn’t announced an official storyline for Black Panther 3, but fans already have theories.
Many believe the film could focus on the legacy of Wakanda’s throne, potentially setting up Toussaint (Prince T’Challa II) as a future leader. Since the film may not release until 2028, Marvel could realistically age him up and build a story around him stepping into his father’s legacy.
There’s also speculation that the film could take place after Secret Wars, making it one of the first major “new era” MCU movies. That could mean Wakanda faces larger cosmic threats, or even a new villain like the Lion Cult.
Still, it’s worth saying clearly: none of this is confirmed. It’s just speculation based on where the MCU seems to be heading.
The Future of Wakanda Depends on the Avengers Films
This update is disappointing, no question.
But it also suggests Marvel is saving Wakanda for the next chapter of the MCU. With Shuri already connected to the upcoming Avengers events, it’s clear she isn’t being sidelined.
And once Doomsday and Secret Wars hit, they’re going to reshape everything Marvel has been building.
So while fans may not like hearing they’ll have to wait until 2028, the upside is that Black Panther 3 could arrive at a time when the MCU is ready to redefine Wakanda’s future entirely.
For now, the message is simple:
Wakanda will return. Just not anytime soon.