British actor David Johnsson has been confirmed for the role of Prince T’Challa II, the son of T’Challa and Nakia (played by Lupita Nyong’o), in the upcoming third installment of the Black Panther franchise. The film will chronicle his coming-of-age journey, a character first introduced as a child in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Director Ryan Coogler is set to return for this project, with Letitia Wright (Shuri) and Winston Duke (M’baka) also confirmed for production. The movie is scheduled to premiere on December 15, 2028.
Following the passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 at the age of 43 due to colon cancer, Shuri temporarily assumed the mantle of Black Panther after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Johnsson, who previously appeared in “Alien: Romulus” and Stephen King’s adaptation “The Long Walk,” has been involved in the franchise since its sequel era. In January 2023, Wright stated that principal photography for this installment began immediately after the release of the previous film.
The original “Black Panther” (2018) became the first superhero film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, earning $1.3 billion worldwide and seven nominations. Its sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” grossed $859 million in 2022, while actress Angela Bassett made history as the first Marvel Cinematic Universe performer to receive an Oscar nomination.
