In an interview on the Today Show, Denzel Washington revealed that director Ryan Coogler had specifically written a role for him in ‘Black Panther 3.’ However, Washington soon realized he had jumped the gun and called Ryan Coogler to apologize for revealing his involvement in the film.
Washington shared during an appearance on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, “I called him and apologized for talking about the movie, and right there sitting with him was his beautiful wife. He’s still Ryan, humble and full of ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read.”
Washington also has commented, “For me, it’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career.” He added, “I’m only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make; probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done… Ryan Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.” While he didn’t reveal further details, his character remains unknown.
During a 2022 interview with the New York Times, Coogler admitted that he’d be glad to stay on this franchise for “as long as folks will have me.”
“I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to work on these movies, bro. When I got asked to do the first one, it was like a moving train. I thank God every day that I was able to jump on it and meet these people, these actors, and to meet Chadwick during some of the last years of his life. I’ll do it as long as folks will have me. But I think it’s bigger than just me or Joe. Between the first and second movie, we made $2 billion at the box office, which is what matters the most to corporations. So I hope that it continues, man. I hope people are still making movies about Wakanda long after we’re gone.”
While speculation is rampant, it is not yet clear who Washington will play in the movie.