Marvel names David Jonsson the new Black Panther, playing T’Challa’s grown son in Black Panther III. Here’s what fans should know.
Wakanda has a new king, and this time, it’s personal. At Comic-Con International, Marvel Studios confirmed that British actor David Jonsson will step into the Black Panther mantle in the franchise’s third film, taking on the role of T’Challa’s son, now grown. It’s the first time since Chadwick Boseman’s passing in 2020 that a new face has been officially tied to the character at the heart of Wakanda’s story.
Fans have wondered since 2022 how Marvel would honour Boseman’s legacy while moving the story forward. The answer arrived on stage, with director Ryan Coogler joined by returning stars Letitia Wright and Winston Duke. Coogler explained that the young boy introduced in the last film is now coming of age, ready to carry the weight of the crown.
Jonsson, visibly emotional, kept his remarks short, choosing instead to let the film speak for itself when it arrives.
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For those just catching up, Jonsson isn’t new to acclaim. The London-born actor cut his teeth in West End theatre before landing his breakout role as Augustus Sackey in the acclaimed drama series Industry. He went on to appear in 2025’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk and the sci-fi thriller Alien: Romulus. In 2025, he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award, a prize that has often signalled a career about to take off.
Now, he inherits one of cinema’s most culturally significant roles, following in the footsteps of a performance that changed how the world saw African storytelling on screen.
Black Panther III is set to hit US cinemas on December 15, 2028, though a UK release date is still pending. Wright and Duke are both confirmed to reprise their roles as the story continues to expand beyond T’Challa’s original reign.
The first Black Panther film, released in 2018, remains one of Marvel’s most celebrated projects, winning three Academy Awards and reshaping expectations for representation in blockbuster cinema.
A new Black Panther means a new chapter, but the spirit behind the mask hasn’t changed.
