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Kevin Feige “got chills” when Ryan Coogler called him about casting David Jonsson as the new Black Panther: “I got a little welled-up and said ‘Let’s do it'”
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has revealed his emotional reaction to learning that actor David Jonsson would take on the mantle of the new Black Panther, in a role that is not a recast of the late Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa. Feige said he "got chills" when director Ryan Coogler phoned him with the casting news, describing how he became "a little welled-up" before giving his approval. The disclosure offers fresh insight into how Marvel is approaching the future of the franchise following Boseman's death in 2020.
Feige's comments confirm that Black Panther 3, directed once again by Ryan Coogler, is set for release in 2028 and will introduce Jonsson as a new character taking up the Black Panther identity rather than replacing Boseman's original hero. The emotional phone call underlines the sensitivity with which Coogler and Marvel have handled the franchise's direction since Wakanda Forever, which itself dealt directly with the loss of T'Challa. Further plot and casting details for the threequel have yet to be revealed.
In short
- David Jonsson cast as new Black Panther, not a T'Challa recast
- Kevin Feige says he "got chills" over the casting call
- Black Panther 3 due for release in 2028
Explained simply
Black Panther is a major Marvel Studios film franchise, part of the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. The main character, King T'Challa, was played by Chadwick Boseman from the first film in 2018 until his death from cancer in 2020. His death left the franchise needing to decide how to continue.
Rather than recasting Boseman in the role, Marvel Studios and director Ryan Coogler decided to retire T'Challa as a character. The second Black Panther film, Wakanda Forever, dealt directly with the loss of the king and focused on the fictional African nation and T'Challa's family. A third Black Panther film is in development for release in 2028, which will introduce a new character to carry on the Black Panther title, played by actor David Jonsson.
Kevin Feige is the president of Marvel Studios. Director Ryan Coogler has helmed both Black Panther films and is directing the upcoming third.