Ryan Coogler Remembers Reaction to Denzel Washington's Reveal That He's Joining BLACK PANTHER III

Marvel is known both for its secrecy, and its pageantry, when it comes to revealing big name stars in the studio’s upcoming films. They’ve been known to do it from the Comic-Con stage, to roaring fans, as well as via five-and-a-half-hour livestreams a la Avengers: Doomsday. So when Denzel Washington casually dropped the bomb that he was going to join the cast of Ryan Coogler’s Marvel sequel, Black Panther III, fans and studio execs alike were stunned. A lesser actor may have been in major trouble, but in the case of Academy Award-winner Washington, it seems like everyone was just amused. During an appearance on the podcast 7PM in Brooklyn (via CB), Coogler was asked directly about the comments Washington made while on the Gladiator II press tour. The filmmaker revealed that he is indeed hoping to work with Washington in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Coogler spent some time discussing his close personal history with Washington, explaining how he’s fortunate enough to view the Hollywood icon as “family.” He’s been hoping to collaborate with Washington and is excited for them to work together.Coogler explained, “There’s no fiction out there. Denzel is family at this point … I’ve been trying to work with him since day one. I think he’s the greatest living actor, and in terms of what he means to our culture, forget about it. I’ve been talking to him about this to him for a long time … I was surprised when he mentioned it, but it’s not like it’s not true.”Washington called Coogler after his reveal and apologized for spilling the news. We still don’t know who the actor will play in the sequel, but it’s bound to be good. Black Panther III is currently in development, but it has not been officially dated on Marvel’s release schedule yet. Stay tuned for updates.

Jun 7, 2025 - 13:40

Ryan Coogler Remembers Reaction to Denzel Washington's Reveal That He's Joining BLACK PANTHER III

Marvel is known both for its secrecy, and its pageantry, when it comes to revealing big name stars in the studio’s upcoming films. They’ve been known to do it from the Comic-Con stage, to roaring fans, as well as via five-and-a-half-hour livestreams a la Avengers: Doomsday.

So when Denzel Washington casually dropped the bomb that he was going to join the cast of Ryan Coogler’s Marvel sequel, Black Panther III, fans and studio execs alike were stunned. A lesser actor may have been in major trouble, but in the case of Academy Award-winner Washington, it seems like everyone was just amused.

During an appearance on the podcast 7PM in Brooklyn (via CB), Coogler was asked directly about the comments Washington made while on the Gladiator II press tour.

The filmmaker revealed that he is indeed hoping to work with Washington in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Coogler spent some time discussing his close personal history with Washington, explaining how he’s fortunate enough to view the Hollywood icon as “family.” He’s been hoping to collaborate with Washington and is excited for them to work together.

Coogler explained, “There’s no fiction out there. Denzel is family at this point … I’ve been trying to work with him since day one. I think he’s the greatest living actor, and in terms of what he means to our culture, forget about it. I’ve been talking to him about this to him for a long time … I was surprised when he mentioned it, but it’s not like it’s not true.”

Washington called Coogler after his reveal and apologized for spilling the news. We still don’t know who the actor will play in the sequel, but it’s bound to be good. Black Panther III is currently in development, but it has not been officially dated on Marvel’s release schedule yet. Stay tuned for updates.