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.