Marvel Studios and director Ryan Coogler have unveiled David Jonsson as Chadwick Boseman’s successor in the upcoming film, Black Panther 3.
The exciting announcement ends months of speculation and wowed the Hall H audience at San Diego Comic-Con.
So, who is Jonsson, what’s the story behind his character, and when will we get Black Panther 3?
‘Black Panther 3’ is in cinemas for Christmas 2028
Coogler, fresh off of major Oscars success with Sinners, took to the Hall H stage with Black Panther stars Letitia Wright (Shuri) and Winston Duke (M’Baku).
Both actors appear to be major players in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday mega Marvel team-up movie.
Post-Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Coogler revealed he will be directing Black Panther 3, which will arrive in cinemas on 15 December 2028.
That makes it one of two MCU feature film projects set in stone for after Secret Wars, along with Ghost Rider.
Who is Jonsson’s character?
Wright and Duke’s presence on stage would suggest they will reprise their roles in Black Panther 3 and perhaps survive the reboot suggested by Avengers: Secret Wars.
Coogler revealed that Jonsson’s character is a legacy of the late, great Boseman’s T’Challa.
“The last time we got to make a movie, we introduced a character who is the son of the character that the great Chadwick Boseman played, our T’Challa, in that film,” the director said, speaking on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (via Marvel).
“And today, I want to tell you that in this next film, he grows up [and] he comes of age.”
So Jonsson will portray T’Challa’s son, and it would be logical to assume the plot of Black Panther 3 will see him live up to the mantle of Black Panther, which is currently held by Wright’s character Shuri.
Will the baton be passed, or shared, between these two characters?
Who is David Jonsson?
Jonsson was met by a roaring Hall H crowd when he was unveiled, and returned that affection with humble words.
“I want to say thank you so much,” he told the keenly engaged audience.
“Thank you, Ryan, thank you Kevin [Feige], thank you to this amazing family that I have the honour and the privilege and the blessing to join.
“I actually don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking. But believe me, the honour is entirely mine.”
The 22-year-old Englishman has quickly built an impressive acting career based on versatile talent.
He has a 2025 BAFTA Rising Star Award to his name, and held his own on the big screen in the likes of Rye Lane, Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk.
So after romcoms, horror-infused science-fiction and tense drama, Jonsson is now adding comic book films to his growing CV.
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