Marvel has officially named ‘your new Black Panther’ as David Jonsson, who will star in a threequel set to hit theatres in 2028.
The former Industry star will take on the Wakanda mantle, playing the son of late Chadwick Boseman’s character T’Challa, Toussaint, who was introduced at the end of Wakanda Forever.
The announcement was made during Marvel’s much-touted San Diego Comic-Con appearance, in which tidbits were shared on the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film and Ryan Gosling’s starring role as Ghost Rider was unveiled.
Before proceedings wrapped up in Hall H, the star of Black Panther 3 walked on stage to join director Ryan Coogler, who will follow up his critically acclaimed box office smash Sinners with the threequel.
Black Panther 3 will be shot entirely on large-format celluloid film, in a first for the MCU, and arrives in theatres on December 15, 2028.
The news of Jonsson’s casting was shared across Marvel’s social media platforms, to fanfare from MCU acolytes, who hailed it ‘perfect casting’.
Jonsson’s stellar performances in films such as Wasteman and The Long Walk were noted by fans, as well as his resemblance to Boseman, who died of cancer in August 2020.
Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), Adam Klay described Jonsson as ‘one of the most exciting actors working today’, adding: ‘I knew that he was going to blow up, but I could have never guessed that THIS would be how.
‘Ryan Coogler directing him and Denzel Washington in BLACK PANTHER 3 has me genuinely excited for an MCU movie again.’
However, several fans were left questioning the announcement, given that the last film touted Letitia Wright’s Wakandan princess Shuri, T’Challa’s sister, as the new Black Panther.
Who is David Jonsson?
Born in London, the 32-year-old began his acting career on the West End, before making his screen debut in 2018 in two episodes of the ITV detective drama Endeavour.
Between 2020 and 2022, Jonsson starred as Gus in the first two seasons of BBC finance psychodrama Industry.
He has starred in films including London rom-com Rye Lane (2023), the seventh instalment in the Alien film series Alien: Romulus (2024) and the Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk (2025).
Alongside Black Panther 3, he has roles in the upcoming films The Chaperones, Benn/Eubank and Scandalous.
In response on social media, fans complained that Shuri was being ‘tossed aside’ to give the role to a man. Petra tweeted: ‘I’m noticing a pattern lately in the MCU of sidelining female characters… I don’t like it. Why do we need to replace Shuri so soon?’
‘Giving me an actor I like and adore won’t distract me from the glaring misogyny. Letitia Wright I WILL AVENGE YOU,’ wrote @bellafumblesss, while @agraybee questioned: ‘So what was the point of setting up Shuri as the new Black Panther?’
Following the announcement, Wright addressed passing the mantle on in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, describing it as ‘beautiful’ news, particularly given that she is already close to Jonsson.
Speaking of her character Shuri, she told the publication: ‘She now has that mantle to pass on, and [that] guidance and the wisdom. I’m going to have a really, really good time, a lot of fun – and I’m going to pick on him so much.’