‘It’s news to us’: Black Panther 3 producer responds to rumors that the Marvel movie’s titular hero will be played by a different actor for the third time

4

‘It’s news to us’: Black Panther 3 producer responds to rumors that the Marvel movie’s titular hero will be played by a different actor for the third time


T'Challa walks towards Killmonger and his men after downing an enemy ship in 2018's Black Panther film
Marvel hasn’t thought about recasting T’Challa, who was played by the late Chadwick Boseman, yet(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

  • Marvel isn’t actively looking to find another actor to play T’Challa in Black Panther 3
  • Industry insiders have suggested the comic giant is planning to recast the character
  • However, no discussions have taken place yet, according to one of its producers

Marvel isn’t actively looking for another actor to replace the late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa in its cinematic universe.

That’s according to Nate Moore, who told TechRadar that the comic book titan hadn’t discussed the prospect of recasting the character for Black Panther 3. Moore, who’s among the film’s many producers, said fans should ignore recent rumors that Marvel was finally ready to cast another actor as T’Challa and, in the process, hand the Black Panther mantle to another star for the third time.

Boseman passed away in August 2020 after privately battling bowel cancer. In the years since the beloved actor’s death, Marvel has batted away questions that it would recast T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Indeed, speculation was rife about who would replace Boseman as T’Challa in the months prior to principal photography beginning on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the 2022 sequel to 2018’s multi-billion dollar-making and 2019 Best Picture Oscar nominee Black Panther. As it turned out, Marvel decided not to recast T’Challa and, as part of Wakanda Forever‘s plot, passed the African nation’s protector-in-chief role onto Letitia Wright’s Shuri, aka T’Challa’s sister.

The new Black Panther stands in a cave in the Jabari tribe's territory in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Shuri adopted the Black Panther superhero mantle in Wakanda Forever (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

With Marvel now confirming Black Panther 3 is in early development тАУ studio head Kevin Feige admitted it was in the wake of Denzel Washington accidentally stating he’d have a role in it тАУ the recasting rumor mill has restarted. In January, MCU leaker Jeff Sneider claimed Marvel had offered the role to an unnamed actor, but they turned it down due to their concerns with filling Boseman’s iconic shoes. MyTimeToShineHello, another insider with a questionable track record for leaking information about Marvel projects, has also suggested that Marvel wants to find an actor to play T’Challa’s son (also named T’Challa), who viewers met in Wakanda Forever‘s mid-credits scene.

T'Challa stares down at his clawed hands in his superhero suit in a promotional image for Marvel's Black Panther

Chadwick Boseman appeared as T’Challa/Black Panther three times before his unexpected death (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Moore, though, is clearly baffled by the hearsay surrounding any casting news about the studio’s next Black Panther film. When I asked if he could comment on the rumors, Moore smiled and said: “There’s no truth to those rumors.

“To be honest, Ryan [Coogler, director of the Black Panther franchise], is knee-deep on [his next movie] Sinners, so he hasn’t really started cracking the story with us. So, it’s funny to read all those reports online of the villains, casting rumors, and this and that. It’s news to all of us.

“What I will say is that it speaks to how much the fans love that property,” he continued. “We should be so lucky for fans to be interested in it and want to know what’s happening. I can honestly say we haven’t done anything, so any reports are false, but I do look forward to getting back into it with Ryan once he’s ready.”

It’s funny to read all those reports online of the villains, casting rumors, and this and that. It’s news to all of us

Nate Moore, Black Panther 3 producer

It’ll be a long time before we see Black Panther 3, but it’s possible that T’Challa’s aged-up son could feature in one of the next two Avengers movies if Marvel wants to include him. Filming is reportedly expected to start on the first of those films тАУ Avengers: Doomsday тАУ in March, so maybe we’ll learn more then.

Regardless of whether T’Challa’s son appears in either or both films, there will be a new Black Panther production to enjoy later this year, with Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda animated spin-off show set to debut on Disney Plus. Per a Marvel trailer that unveiled its TV series line-up for 2025 last October, the Marvel Phase 5 program will be released on the streaming platform on August 6.

You might also like

  • Find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order, including the first two Black Panther films
  • ‘Our goal is to make the best movie possible’: Captain America: Brave New World director and producer address the Marvel film’s extensive reshoots and poor test screening rumors
  • Marvel debuts new Thunderbolts* trailer during Super Bowl LIX, and it reveals the MCU movie’s main villain who you probably expected to be a good guy
TOPICS
Tom Power
Senior Entertainment Reporter

As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders.┬аYou may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

More about entertainment

Oscar Piastri leads McLaren teammate Lando Norris at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix

How to watch Japanese Grand Prix 2025: TV & live streams, schedule, start time, what channel is it on?


Deepak Chahar of Mumbai Indians celebrates the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford of Gujrat Titans during the 2025 IPL in advance of the Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians

Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians live stream: how to watch IPL 2025 match online from anywhere


Samsung QN90F seen from an angle showing image of soup bowl

Samsung is being weirdly cagey about supporting Netflix’s big HDR upgrade that’s basically custom-made for its TVs

See more latest
Previous articleA new Facebook phishing campaign looks to trick you with emails sent from Salesforce
Next articleNew cheaper blue OLED material breakthrough could be great news for OLED TVs тАУ and every other device