Denzel Washington Says He’s Starring in Black Panther 3

Denzel Washington is heading from Rome to Wakanda: the Academy Award-actor has revealed that he’s set to star in Black Panther 3.

Washington shared the news during an appearance on the Today Show Australia. “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.” The 79-year-old actor then rattled off a few of his upcoming projects, which includes a “part in the next Black Panther.”

Marvel has yet to officially announce a third Black Panther film following the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022. However, Marvel head Kevin Feige previously confirmed he has had “conversations” with writer-director Ryan Coogler about a potential sequel.

It would make sense why Washington might want to be involved in a Black Panther movie given his close personal connection to the film’s original star, the late Chadwick Boseman. Washington helped paid for Boseman to attend an acting program at England’s Oxford University, and Boseman later starred in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which was produced by Washington. Washington also credited Boseman for encouraging him to marry his current wife, Taylor Simone Ledward.

Washington can next be seen in Gladiator II, which opens in theaters on November 22nd.