In August, Denzel Washington disclosed that “there are very few films” left for him to take on at this point in his celebrated, Oscar-winning career. Now, he has confirmed that Black Panther 3 will be one of those select projects.
While promoting Gladiator II on Australia’s Today show, Washington revealed that director Ryan Coogler is crafting a role specifically for him in the third installment of Black Panther.
Alongside this project, Washington’s remaining filmography will also include a collaboration with director Steve McQueen and a cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello.
“For me, it’s about the filmmakers,” Washington explained. “Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best.
I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
In addition, Washington reflected on his connection to Othello, a role he first performed at 22 and will reprise at age 70.
The Shakespearean production, co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal, is set to open on Broadway in February 2025. “After that, I am playing Hannibal.
After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.
After that, I’m going to do the film Othello. After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”
While details about the Steve McQueen project remain under wraps, Netflix has already announced its support for Antoine Fuqua’s historical war epic, where Washington will portray the legendary Carthaginian general Hannibal.
As for Black Panther 3, Marvel has yet to confirm the sequel officially, though fans have anticipated a third installment from Coogler given the franchise’s enormous success.
Washington’s involvement in Black Panther 3 would hold significant symbolism, as the late Chadwick Boseman, the original Black Panther star, had once revealed that Washington helped fund his acting education.
In 2019, while presenting Washington with the AFI Life Achievement Award, Boseman said, “There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington.”
Boseman went on to praise Washington’s influence on their entire cast, saying, “The daily battles won, the thousand territories gained, the many sacrifices you made for the culture on film sets through your career, the things you refused to compromise along the way lay the blueprints for us to follow.”
