(Left) Ryan Coogler arrive at the 14th Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (Right) Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
Ryan Coogler has confirmed he’ll direct ‘Black Panther 3’ as his next movie.
The story is being kept secret.
Denzel Washington reportedly has a role.
Having taken a break from his stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to make something original via ‘Sinners,’ writer/director Ryan Coogler has confirmed he’s ready to return to the world of Wakanda.
Coogler, who has so far brought us the hugely successful first movie 2018, 2022 follow-up ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ plus TV spin-offs ‘Ironheart’ and ‘Eyes of Wakanda’ has said for a while he’d return to the MCU once he’d been able to creatively recharge, and ‘Sinners’ provided that opportunity.
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Now on the awards press circuit for his latest, Coogler told the audience at a recent Deadline event that he’s officially developing his new ‘Panther’ offering:
“If it was anybody but you, I would say, ‘I can neither confirm or deny.’ But we’re working on it hard. … Yeah, it’s the next movie.”
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ director Ryan Coogler.
Coogler didn’t so much as hint at anything that the new movie might cover. But there are hints all over ‘Wakanda Forever,’ including Letitia Wright’s Shuri taking over the Black Panther duties following the death of T’Challa (a plot move that also followed the tragic real-life death of actor Chadwick Boseman).
We may see a time jump to see T’Challa’s son take on the mantle, but whatever Coogler has up his sleeve, we trust him to deliver something spectacular and emotional.
Will Denzel Washington be in ‘Black Panther 3’?
Denzel Washington attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
According to the actor, who commented a while ago that Coogler was writing him a role in the movie, that’s a yes!
This was his comment last year:
“At this point in my career, I’m only interested in working with the best, I don’t know how many more films I will make, probably not that many. I want to do things that I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22, I’m now going to play it at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ ”
Will it turn out to be true? We’ll have to wait and see, but the idea of Washington showing up as a new antagonist (or, indeed anything he wants to do) is certainly one to ponder.
When will ‘Black Panther 3’ be in theaters?
With Coogler still in development on the movie and Disney/Marvel’s release schedule full for the next couple of years, we wouldn’t expect it much before early 2028. And let’s be honest: don’t you want Coogler to have all the time he needs to make the next movie great?
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
List of ‘Black Panther’ Related Movies and TV Shows:
Sacha Baron Cohen makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Mephisto in ‘Ironheart’.
Mephisto makes a deal with Riri Williams to bring back her friend Natalie, which is sure to have serious consequences.
Mephisto will likely be a big part of the MCU moving forward.
SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers for ‘Ironheart’ below.
Ever since ‘WandaVision‘, Marvel fans have been speculating when and where Mephisto will show up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and now the time has finally come. Sacha Baron Cohen portrays the demon in ‘Ironheart‘, making his debut in the season one finale. While the Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) led series may not continue with a season two, Mephisto is likely not going anywhere, and is sure to have a major impact on the future of the MCU.
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There is a reason fans have been begging for Mephisto to show up. He is known for making deals and mucking things up. While he looks like the devil, he is not Lucifer, but he certainly allows others to think he is. In Marvel Comics he has ties to many characters that have already been introduced, most notably Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Doctor Strange, as well as others that are coming soon including Doctor Doom and Franklin Richards.
Mephisto is powerful, extra-dimensional demon. As showcased in ‘Ironheart’ he is a master manipulator who almost always gets his way. His deal with Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos) corrupted him, leaving him with scars all over his body and an obsession with the cloak he was gifted. When Mephisto decided to be done with him, he simply moved onto his next victim, Riri Williams.
While the demon behind Parker’s hood was initially suspected to be Dormamu, the finale reveals that this is not the truth. It is, indeed, Mephisto, something that is sure to make fans jump up and down with glee, since his debut in the MCU has been long-awaited. During his final conversation with Parker, he admits to being very busy, hinting that he has had his hands in a lot of the events that have been taking place over the course of previous Marvel projects.
After Riri defeats Parker, Mephisto appears to her, inviting her to sit down for a meal. He is very charasmatic and during their conversation, she ends up making a deal with him. Her friend Natalie (Lyric Ross) was murdered, but she was able to bring her back as an AI, only to lose her again. This is something that Riri is not able to deal with, so she asks Mephisto to bring her back.
In the end-credit sequence it is discovered that this is not an AI version of Natalie, but rather the actual Natalie, who is very confused and does not remember her fate. This is likely to cause a lot of problems for Riri going forward, because how to you explain someone returning to the world after being dead for several years?
Why Sacha Baron Cohen Is The Perfect Casting Choice For Mephisto
Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto in ‘Ironheart’. Photo: Disney+.
Casting Sacha Baron Cohen as Mephisto is a brilliant choice for several reasons. All you have to do is take one look at his scenes in the ‘Ironheart’ finale to know this. He is able portray someone who is trusting as well as mischievous. His human form is unsuspecting enough, but it is the fact that he knows how to pull information from his victims to discover what would be worth it to them to forfeit their souls.
For Parker Robbins, he wanted revenge against his father and money. For Riri Williams, she just wants her friend back, especially after getting a taste of what it was like to have her back in her life. The kicker for her is that this version of Natalie will not remember all of the healing and growing they did together when Natalie was an AI.
Sacha Baron Cohen is great at playing a character. We have seen that with his films like ‘Borat‘ and ‘Bruno‘. Even though Mephisto is mostly in his human form, there is one quick shot of him in his demon form, seen in a reflection, that is equal parts chilling and exciting. Sacha Baron Cohen, if given the chance, will bring Mephisto to life in a way that fans could seemingly only have imagined.
Mephisto Can Easily Return In ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Or ‘Champions’
What fans have seen in the ‘Ironheart’ finale is just a small glimpse at what Mephisto is capable of. In the comics, he is the reason that Billy and Tommy Maximoff even exist. While they were created by their mother’s chaos magic, this was done in tandem with parts of Mephisto. At one point he goes so far as to reabsorb them. However, they find a way to return. This exact scenario is not likely to play out in the MCU, but it would make sense for the twins to cross paths with the Mephisto eventually, likely in a ‘Young Avengers’ or ‘Champions’ title.
It is not far fetched to believe that Mephisto could have orchestrated the events of ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ as well. As we have seen, he is known for making deals and has the ability to bring people back from the dead. With Robert Downey, Jr. returning to the MCU, this time as Victor Von Doom and not Tony Stark, there is a chance Mephisto could absolutely be behind it. If someone wanted to make a deal with him to bring Stark back, it absolutely makes sense that this was Mephisto’s evil twist on things.
While it has not been revealed the lasting effect that Mephisto will have on the MCU, there is no way he is being introduced for Marvel to then do nothing with him. He is a powerful, manipulative demon who only has his own best interest at heart. One thing is for sure, our heroes are in trouble now that he is in the mix.
Marvel’s TV output continues to be something of a mixed bag, though things have certainly taken an upturn with the likes of ‘Agatha All Along’ and ‘Daredevil: Born Again.’ Now here comes ‘Ironheart’ aiming to maintain that momentum, utilizing the Riri Williams character from the comics whose youthful genius rivals that of Tony Stark even if her bank balance and living situation certainly don’t.
The Williams character was a key component of Ryan Coogler’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, but couldn’t stop sometimes feeling like she was jammed in to add something else. And in her own show, she’s a definite highlight even if not everything about the limited series around her works as well.
The tone of ‘Ironheart’ can sometimes vary wildly, with some scenes feeling like they come from a gritty, emotional drama about grief, loss PTSD or crime and others looking to bring some wackier, Freeform-level comedy. They don’t always fit together as well as they might.
Still, the team has a clear handle on the Riri character, her desires, frustrations and trauma (her stepfather and best friend were shot dead in front of her), and they launch her on an entertaining new adventure, even managing to find rational reasons why she wouldn’t simply pick up the phone and ask for help from Shuri (Letitia Wright) and the Wakandans when things get thorny.
Riri’s interaction with the AI she accidentally created from a scan of her own brain, which is embodied in the form of her late friend Natalie, is always entertaining, the two written believably as best friends. Likewise, the moments with her mother Ronnie are also effective.
Also on the plus side is the Joe McGillicuddy character, a fun addition to the story who becomes something more –– and has a connection to someone that Riri admires that you might not see coming.
The villains are less well drawn –– Parker Robbins, AKA “The Hood” and his magic outfit can’t help but look like he’s cosplaying as Little Red Riding Hood sometimes, and the character, despite some much-needed depth in some family connections, is often written as one-note, and that note is B-flat.
Directors Samantha Bailey and Angela Barnes bring some varied styles to the show, but it works together as a whole. There are some well-conceived and realised action set pieces, especially one set at a high-tech greenhouse complex.
Dominique Thorne has put in some great performances in the past, including in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and brings real soul and depth to Riri. Given the space to explore the character without needing to be part of a bigger blockbuster tapestry, she’s always good here –– whether she’s having a quiet moment with friends or being badass.
Alden Ehrenreich is a highlight, his Joe character one of the more entertaining in the show. While he takes a slightly predictable turn later on, Ehrenreich keeps him entertaining and he plays well off of Thorne in moments such as the pair belting out an Alanis Morissette track or bonding over biotech.
Anthony Ramos struggles slightly with the big bad role, burdened by the fact that, for all of his inventive elements, Parker Robbins is a slightly dull dud as a character. Ramos plays him cool and composed, mostly staying away from campy villain tropes, but it doesn’t really register.
Lyric Ross is an energetic delight as Natalie –– or at least the AI drawn from Riri’s memories –– bringing needed energy to the series, but also a healthy dash of emotion that helps supplements our lead’s storyline.
Around Ramos is a varied bunch of criminals who are fine for what they need to be, but the group does rather waste the comic talents of Eric André as tech guru Stuart, who so desperately wants to be known as “Rampage”.
Finally, Anji White makes an impact in a smaller role as Riri’s mother, Ronnie Williams, a woman with her own grief, but also a deep amount of care for –– and no-nonsense attitude to –– her daughter.
Despite its tonal issues and a frankly unsatisfying final scene that falls into the Marvel trap of nodding to the future without really resolving the present, ‘Ironheart’ makes better use of the Riri Williams character than ‘Wakanda Forever’ ever could.
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What’s the plot of ‘Ironheart?
Set after the events of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ Marvel Television’s ‘Ironheart’ pits technology against magic when Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) — a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world — returns to her hometown of Chicago.
Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins, AKA “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos).
Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones in ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’. Photo: Netflix.
Preview:
Krysten Ritter will appear in ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2.
She’s bringing Jessica Jones back to screens.
Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio star in the show.
Looks like the Defenders are getting back together. Well, some of them at least.
As part of its presentation at the big Disney Upfront this week (where the company touted its upcoming and returning shows in the hopes of luring advertising dollars), Marvel brought Krysten Ritter on stage to announce that she will appear as Jessica Jones in the second season of Disney+ series ‘Daredevil: Born Again.’
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This is what Ritter said about returning to the role:
“It’s so great to be back, returning to Jessica after three seasons and ‘The Defenders’ and now joining the MCU. I’m so excited to bring back this iconic character, and without giving too much away, there is much more in store for Jessica Jones. This is going to be an incredible season!”
Ritter’s gritty, funny portrayal of the character was widely acclaimed, and she was a definite standout among the Netflix/Marvel heroes.
There had been talk that other Netflix characters might be making the leap, following Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil and his arch nemesis The Kingpin, AKA Wilson Fisk, as played by Vincent D’Onofrio.
Hopes remain high that Mike Colter, who played Luke Cage, a hulking hero with great strength and impenetrable skin, might also show up. And that’s it for the Defenders line up. There definitely was not anybody else we’d want to see.
Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones in ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’. Photo: Netflix.
One of the key characters during the Netflix/Marvel TV run, with her standalone series launching in 2015 and lasting for three seasons. She also appeared in the ‘Defenders’ team-up miniseries in 2017.
Jessica was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos and first appeared in ‘Alias #1’ (November 2001) as part of Marvel’s Max, an imprint for more mature content.
She gains super strength and the ability to fly (to some degree, it’s more like giant leaps) and relative invulnerability but the accident also kills her family (or so she thinks).
In the show, much as in the comic, she’s an extremely troubled young woman, an alcoholic who funds her life through working as a private investigator.
In Season 1, she must deal with Kilgrave (David Tennant), a cunning and sadistic mind manipulator who forced her to kill someone while under his power and effectively ended her brief heroic career.
A continuation of the ‘Daredevil’ series that aired on Netflix from 2015 to 2018, ‘Born Again’ picks up with our hero Matt Murdock (Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, amid a continued fight for justice through his bustling law firm.
At the same time, former mob boss Wilson Fisk (D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.
Season 2 will pick up after the cliffhanger of the first, in which crime lord Fisk violently consolidated power, leading Matt to go underground and begin reaching out to allies to resist Fisk and his anti-vigilante task force. Jones will be part of that group of allies.
“People were watching it as a season four, not at as a first season. It’s given us the confidence of making the show annually into the future.”
Just don’t got expecting this to open any floodgate for other characters, according to the executive:
“It’s about not rushing and telling the best story. Yes, it’s exciting to think about characters interacting, but it’s about the reasons why. At times we’ve done that very well, at times we’ve rushed. The story has to lead the path.”
The show follows Riri’s further adventures as she works on her technological creations (including her version of the Iron Man suit) and encounters some dangerous villains.
‘Ironheart’ launches on Disney+ on June 24th, and you can see the trailer below.
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Then there is ‘Wonder Man,’ about a superpowered actor and stunt man (played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who auditions to be in a superhero movie.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
An unconfirmed report suggests that Marvel Studios may recast the role of T’Challa, aka Black Panther, for upcoming MCU movies.
The news comes more than four years after the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who originally played the role, with T’Challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) later taking over as Wakanda’s protector.
One theory suggest that the new T’Challa will be from a different part of the multiverse, and not even necessarily a hero.
A new, unconfirmed report suggests that Marvel Studios may be looking to recast the role of T’Challa, also known as the Black Panther, more than four years after the tragic 2020 death of original star Chadwick Boseman.
Reporter Jeff Sneider claimed in his newsletter TheInSneider that contacts at various talent agencies told him that the Disney-owned Marvel was searching for a new actor to play the role. What’s not clear is whether this would be a different iteration of the Wakandan leader from another universe, or another character entirely stepping into the Black Panther persona.
What happened to the original Black Panther?
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
T’Challa, Marvel’s first Black superhero and leader of the fictional African nation of Wakanda — who protects his nation and the world in the guise of the Black Panther – made his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016’s ‘Captain America: Civil War.’
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Playing the role was actor Chadwick Boseman, who became an immediate fan favorite and was catapulted to super-stardom when his debut solo outing, 2018’s ‘Black Panther,’ grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. The film went on to become the first superhero movie nominated for best picture by the Academy Awards and became a worldwide cultural phenomenon.
Boseman followed up that film with smaller appearances in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019), but was positioned to become one of the MCU’s leaders in both future ‘Avengers’ and ‘Black Panther’ films. What almost no one knew, however, was that Boseman was battling colon cancer, which finally claimed his life in August 2020 and led to a global outpouring of grief for the acclaimed actor.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
The news appeared to rock Marvel Studios as well, which had to revamp its plans for a second ‘Black Panther’ movie with writer/director Ryan Coogler. Because Boseman had become so strongly identified with the role, the studio pledged that the part would never be recast and that future ‘Black Panther’ movies would focus on other characters from the Wakandan nation.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ which arrived in November 2022 and earned $859 million worldwide, addressed the tragedy by having T’Challa die offscreen in the opening minutes of the film. The rest of the movie saw T’Challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) elevated to the role of Black Panther as she led Wakanda in a battle with the undersea kingdom of Talokan.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
The notion of ‘recasting Black Panther’ could be open to many different interpretations. The least likely option is that Marvel wants to simply recast the original character, which would be thorny given that both the MCU character and the beloved actor who played him are deceased. Fans were divided at the time of Boseman’s death over whether Marvel should hire a new actor for the part, although that debate seems to have cooled during the ensuing years.
But two other alternatives seem more likely: the first is that a different T’Challa would emerge from one of the many realities that now exist in the Marvel multiverse – perhaps even one who is not a superhero at all and could even be a villain. Following the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom for the upcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ films, as well as the reported return of former Captain America Chris Evans in an undisclosed role, the mixing and matching of actors and characters from Marvel’s past seems very much on the table.
The other possibility is that the role will be an older version of T’Challa and Nakia’s (Lupita Nyong’o) infant son, who was introduced at the end of ‘Wakanda Forever’ and was also named T’Challa. He could by birthright inherit the Black Panther persona, although that would require a time jump in the franchise to make him at least a teenager.
No actors’ names have been mentioned for the part, but Sneider noted that “an actor was actually offered the role [of T’Challa] this past fall…but they turned it down, not wanting to jeopardize their career momentum by stepping into Boseman’s gigantic shoes.” The reporter added that whoever lands the role would possibly make their debut in one of the upcoming ‘Avengers’ sequels before starring in ‘Black Panther 3.’
And what would that mean for current Black Panther Shuri? With Letitia Wright embroiled in several controversies over the past few years, it’s not unreasonable to speculate that Marvel may want to lessen her involvement in the series.
What is the future of Black Panther?
(L to R) Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige presenting ‘Ironheart’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Following the release of ‘Wakanda Forever,’ news about the future of the ‘Black Panther’ franchise was somewhat fleeting. Coogler is developing a series for Disney+ that would explore other aspects of Wakanda, while the long-delayed ‘Ironheart’ series – featuring the title character, who was introduced in ‘Wakanda Forever’ – is finally scheduled to premiere on the streamer in June 2025.
However, interest in the franchise was reignited in November 2024 when Denzel Washington casually revealed in an interview that Coogler was “writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’” Later that month, it was announced that longtime Marvel exec Nate Moore – who had shepherded both ‘Black Panther’ films to the screen – was leaving the company but would return to produce ‘Black Panther 3’ for the studio, although the film has not been officially announced.
The news reported by Sneider, however, combined with the revelations about Washington and Moore, seem to indicate that ‘Black Panther’ remains very much a going concern for Marvel – and that the pioneering franchise could have a very different look and face going forward.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Other ‘Black Panther’ Related Movies and TV Shows:
(L to R) Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach star in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
Kevin Feige confirmed the Fantastic Four as appearing in the next ‘Avengers’ movies.
Their stand-alone new movie is about to wrap shooting.
The studio head also offered an update on the use of X-Men characters going forward.
With the huge theatrical success of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and the buzzy Disney+ hit ‘Agatha All Along,’ Marvel Studios finds itself in a better place heading in 2025 than at almost any point in its turbulent time since ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
And, looking to assure fans (not to mention his Disney paymasters), Marvel boss Kevin Feige offered an upbeat tone at the recent Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, talking up things to come.
While he didn’t announce anything new, he did confirm a few details and offered some updates about when we can expect to see the likes of the X-Men characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
That movie is due next summer (July 25th, to be exact) and Feige, sporting a cap bearing the characters’ iconic logo, talked it up as the movie he’s most excited about for 2025.
Here’s what he said about their movie and beyond, via Deadline:
“They wrap next week, the movie comes out next summer, and then all those characters go right into the next Avengers movies, so I’m very excited for the future of the Fantastic Four.”
Yes, the new reboot will indeed usher the characters into the wider MCU, and they’ll be facing one of their biggest antagonists, Dr. Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr., no less) in ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ They’ll also be seen in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ with both movies directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and landing in 2026 and 2027.
Feige talks the X-Men
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
With Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox in 2019, the opportunity arose not only to use the Fantastic Four, but also the sprawling universe of X-Men characters. We’ve seen alternate universe versions in a couple of movies (and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ served as a wry, loving tribute to Fox’s X-Movies and more), but according to Feige, we can expect to see more mutants in the future.
This was his comment:
“I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize. Right after that, the whole story of ‘Secret Wars’ really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, it’s one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back.”
But let’s not forget ‘Thunderbolts*’ which lands on May 2nd, 2025. Feige also took a moment to acknowledge their appeal:
“That’s what Marvel is all about: it’s taking characters from all different types of places and franchises and putting them together. That’s what the ‘Avengers’ is, that’s what ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is.”
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Preview:
Denzel Washington says a role is being crafted for him in ‘Black Panther 3’
Marvel has yet to officially confirm the movie.
Washington will next be seen in ‘Gladiator II.’
When Denzel Washington speaks, people listen. And we’re definitely ready to listen when the Oscar-winning actor, who is doing the press rounds for Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II,’ says a role is being written for him in a hotly anticipated movie.
“At this point in my career, I’m only interested in working with the best, I don’t know how many more films I will make, probably not that many. I want to do things that I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22, I’m now going to play it at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ ”
Wait, what?!
What’s the status of Black Panther 3?
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ director Ryan Coogler.
While we –– and indeed, the world at large –– would most definitely be happy to see Denzel Washington in the MCU, Marvel has of yet not confirmed that a third ‘Black Panther’ movie is even happening, and co-writer/director/franchise overseer Ryan Coogler hasn’t officially dropped word he’s making another movie.
It would hardly surprise us though –– the first ‘Black Panther’ was a zeitgeisty triumph, earning more than a billion at the box office. And while follow up ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ had to reckon with the tragic death of star Chadwick Boseman and the aftereffects of the pandemic on moviegoing, it also managed to take in more than $859 million at the box office.
So far, Coogler is pushing the story forward in other ways, including the ‘Ironheart’ Disney+ series featuring the character of young inventor Riri Williams, as played by Dominique Thorne in ‘Wakanda Forever.’ That show launches in June next year.
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And there is also animated offering ‘Eyes of Wakanda,’ which also debuts on Disney+ on August 6th.
Here’s the thing, though: if you can get Denzel Washington in your movie, you get Denzel Washington in your movie. And while we seriously doubt he would sign up for a recurring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a one-shot as potentially a villain or some other character in a new ‘Black Panther’ is something to anticipate. Let’s see what happens…
What else does Denzel Washington have coming up?
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Next up for the actor is the aforementioned ‘Gladiator II,’ in theaters on November 22nd.
He’s also worked on Spike Lee’s new movie, ‘High and Low,’ which is in post-production but doesn’t yet have an announced release date.
Marvel and Disney offered a look at some of their upcoming shows in a new teaser.
‘Daredevil: Born Again,’ ‘Wonder Man’ and ‘Ironheart’ were among them.
We also learned when ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ will land on Disney+ next month.
While Disney and Marvel have usually tended to use events such as Comic-Cons or the Mouse House’s own D23 spectacle to offer new looks and fresh release details for upcoming entries in the MCU, the companies have taken the step of launching a teaser online that reveals footage and info itself.
Marvel Studios’ ‘Daredevil: Born Again.’
The new trailer, which you can find above, spotlights the likes of ‘Daredevil: Born Again,’ ‘Ironheart,’ ‘Wonder Man’ and some of the returning/new projects from the animated side of Marvel’s TV arm.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ will be available to stream on Disney+ beginning November 12th.
Having done record-breaking business in theaters this summer (current total $1.33 billion worldwide), the third film featuring Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth has also been successful on video on demand, with its Blu-ray release imminent.
And now we know that it’ll be available to stream on Disney+ on November 12th. So if you’re ready to watch (or, more likely re-visit) Reynolds’s Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine on their multiverse adventure, now you know when you can.
The third season of the popular animated series, which is its own spin on multiverses, side trips and fun diversions within the Marvel universe, arrives on the streaming service on December 22, as a special Christmas gift.
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And how about Spider-Man?
Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
An animated adventure aimed at younger viewers (but accessible to all ages), ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ joins Marvel Animation’s lineup on January 29th, 2025.
It explores Peter Parker’s origin story and younger days as the web-slinging hero.
Talking of Charlie Cox, when can we see Daredevil on our screens again?
The cast of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Funny you should ask. Next up on the schedule is the long-awaited return for Hell’s Kitchen’s conflicted hero, who gets his own series again (with more links to the Netflix series than previously imagined) starting March 4th, 2025, on Disney+.
Picking up the threads planted at the end of ‘Echo,’ ‘Born Again’ will see Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock once again facing problems from Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, who here is campaigning to be mayor of New York.
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Is there news on ‘Ironheart’?
The cast of ‘Ironheart’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
There is! The new show, which continues the story of the Riri Williams character introduced in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (and played by Dominique Thorne) will see her dealing with dangerous new threats and reckoning with her place in life.
The show arrives on Disney+ on June 24th, 2025.
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Anything else from the ‘Black Panther’ side of things?
(L to R) Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige presenting ‘Ironheart’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Yep! Another show produced by ‘Panther’ director Ryan Coogler is the animated ‘Eyes of Wakanda,’ which follows Wakandan warriors who have traveled the world to retrieve dangerous vibranium artifacts throughout history and T’Challa’s ancestors passing down the mantle of Black Panther.
‘Eyes of Wakanda’ will be with us via Disney+ on August 6th, 2025.
In time for Halloween next year is ‘Marvel Zombies,’ a spin-off of ‘What If…?’ and set in the corrupted universe where many heroes have become flesh-craving monsters.
That series is poised to land in October 2025.
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When will ‘Wonder Man’ arrive?
Marvel Comics’ Wonder Man. Photo Courtesy of Marvel.com.
While we’ve been waiting ages for anything new about this show –– which features ‘Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the character of Simon Williams, now we finally have a proper first look.
And from the teaser footage, it appears to focus on Williams as an actor trying to get the role of Wonder Man, with a little help from ‘Iron Man 3’ and ‘Shang-Chi’s Trevor Slattery, AKA Ben Kingsley.
(L to R) Director James Cameron, Zoe Saldaña and Sam Worthington at D23 2024 presenting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo: Disney.
D23 2024 finished off its first day on Friday, August 9th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California with a presentation showcasing the upcoming Disney movies and TV shows.
The presentation included upcoming film and television projects from Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar, and kicked off with Walt Disney Animation.
Bob Iger at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
But first, CEO of the Walt Disney Company Bob Iger took to the stage to address the arena full of fans. It was Iger’s first D23 in five years and he told the audience how much he missed them.
“There is nothing more that we love then surprising you and filling your heart with love. The world needs to be entertained more than ever before, and we take that seriously. We have a lot to be proud of and more to look forward to.”
Actress Ginnifer Goodwin took to the stage to show footage from her upcoming sequel, ‘Zootopia 2’. She also announced that Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan is joining the cast as a snake named Gary.
“Now, reptiles have a shady past, and Gary could send the crew on a whole new mission.”
‘Zootopia 2’ is scheduled for release on November 26, 2025.
Jennifer Lee presenting at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Next, CEO of Walt Disney Animation Studios Jennifer Lee announced that the long-awaited third installment of the ‘Frozen’ franchise will be release in 2027.
“Coming out of ‘Frozen II’ we still have some questions.”
She also revealed concept art from the new movie, which featured Elsa and Anna on horseback with Olaf riding along.
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Pixar Animation Studios
‘Dream Productions’
‘Dream Productions’. Photo: Disney.
CCO of Pixar Pete Doctor began by thanking the audience for their support of the box office hit ‘Inside Out 2’.
“I want to thank all of you for going to theaters and making ‘Inside Out 2’ the number one animated movie of all time.”
He also announced a new Disney+ series set in the world on ‘Inside Out’ called ‘Dream Productions’. The series is set between the original film and the sequel and Doctor screened footage for the audience.
Doctor also announced another Disney+ series called ‘Win or Lose‘, and the new movie ‘Hoppers’, which stars Bobby Moynihan and newly announced villain, Jon Hamm.
Next, Doctor introduced the fifth installment in the ‘Toy Story’ franchise and had this to say:
“We are excited for Jesse, Woody and what all the gang will do next.”
Doctor then introduced the director and writer of the movie, Pixar-regular Andrew Stanton. Stanton revealed that the villain of the new movie will be technology.
“Toys’ jobs are harder when the toys go up against what kids are obsessed with today, technology. This time around its toys vs. tech.”
(L to R) Zoe Saldaña and Yonas Kibreab at D23 2024 presenting ‘Elio’. Photo: Disney.
Zoe Saldaña was on hand to present her upcoming movie, ‘Elio’ and show footage from the film. The new movie follows an eleven-year-old boy named Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab) who accidentally becomes the intergalactic Ambassador of planet Earth after being beamed up to the Communiverse by aliens for making contact.
The actress had this to say about the movie:
“I felt a real connection to the character. It felt authentic. I can’t wait for you all to see it.”
‘Elio’ is scheduled for release on June 13th, 2025.
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‘Incredibles 3’
Pete Doctor presenting ‘Incredibles 3’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Finally, Doctor announced the long-awaited third installment of the ‘Incredibles’ franchise entitled ‘Incredibles 3’.
“Brad Bird is developing it now. We think the film is special and hope you enjoy it.”
Jude Law presenting ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Actor Jude Law presented the first trailer from the upcoming Disney+ series, which will be release this December. The series is told from the perspective of a group of kids who get lost in the vastness of space and are trying to find their way home.
Law addressed the fans and expressed his joy to be part of the project:
“I’m thrilled to share with you ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’. It means a great deal for me to be part of the ‘Star Wars’ family’.
You can watch the trailer below, which reveals Law’s character is a Jedi.
(L to R) Dave Filoni, Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm and Jon Favreau appears at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 09, 2024. Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney.
Director Jon Favreau and producer Dave Filoni surprised the crowd by presenting some exclusive footage from the upcoming feature film version of the Disney+ show. The footage featured the main characters on a new adventure, as well as ‘Star Wars’ familiars like At-Ats, snowtroopers and surprisingly, Babu Frick from the recent ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’.
Favreau had this to say about the movie:
“We are getting an opportunity to bring these characters to the big screen.”
Filoni added:
“We’re all excited to have ‘Star Wars’ back on the big screen.”
Favreau mentioned that they just started filming a few weeks ago. The movie is scheduled to release in 2026.
(L to R) Anthony Mackie and Kevin Feige presenting ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and actor Anthony Mackie presented footage from ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ but it was the same footage shown a few weeks ago at San Diego Comic-Con.
The footage included a meeting between President Ross (Harrison Ford) and Sam Wilson (Mackie), where Ross asks Wilson to form a new Avengers team. Another scene reveals that the Celestial left behind after the events of ‘Eternals’ is made of Adamantium, the same metal that made Wolverine’s claws. The footage also reveals Giancarlo Esposito’s villain Sidewinder and ends with Ford’s Ross becoming the Red Hulk on the White House lawn in front of the press.
Mackie had this to say about playing the iconic role:
‘The shield is very heavy. It’s an amazing honor.’
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ opens in theaters on February 14th, 2025.
With the film currently shooting, the cast was unable to appear but sent a video that features actor Joseph Quinn in his superhero costume.
Again, the footage shown was the same from Comic-Con, but features the Fantastic Car, the team in their astronaut suits, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) teaching a science class on television, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in Thing form on a dating show, and a final scene of villain Galactus (Ralph Ineson) looking in on the Baxter Building where H.E.R.B.I.E. is vacuuming the living room.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is scheduled for release on July 25th, 2025.
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‘Ironheart’
The cast of ‘Ironheart’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
“I have been having the best time playing Riri and I can’t wait for you to see the series”.
The footage reveals that Riri is expelled from MIT following the events of ‘Wakanda Forever’ and makes an uneasy alliance with Ramos’ villain, The Hood.
“We’re channeling the essence of the original series but forging a new path.”
The footage sees the return of the Punisher and Bullseye, our first look at the White Tiger, and a confrontation between Matt Murdock and the Kingpin that reveals he knows who the Daredevil really is.
The series will premiere on Disney+ March, 2025 and Cox revealed that they’ll begin shooting season 2 soon.
The group revealed the new trailer from the show, which you can watch below. The trailer shows Agatha trying to put her coven back together, and it also gives us our first glimpse of Audrey Plaza in the series.
‘Agatha All Along’ will premiere on Disney + September 18th.
(L to R) Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler presenting ‘Snow White’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Actresses Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot appeared to introduce the new trailer for the upcoming live-action remake, as well as screen an extended scene featuring the iconic ‘Whistle While You Work.’
Zegler said this about the making the movie:
“It’s been an honor of a lifetime. It’s been the most incredible experience, and I can’t wait to share it with you.”
Gadot added:
“It was lots of fun to do something different than I’ve ever done before. It was delicious and fun.”
The cast of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ at D23 2024. Photo: Disney.
Award winning director Barry Jenkins was on hand to present the new trailer for the live action ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’, which is a prequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 movie. Jenkins announced that Lin-Manual Miranda will write the music, as well as the return of Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Pumbaa and Timon, respectively, who all appeared to greet the crowd.
You can watch the new trailer below, and the film is scheduled for release on December 20th.
Bridges, who starred in the original, had this to say about his return:
“I’m Just a small part of this”.
Lee explained that she plays Eve Kim, a programmer that helped create Ares, who’s now come into our world. The footage shows Leto’s Ares in the real world, and our first look at Bridges as Kevin Flynn.
Leto said this about his character’s motives:
“He’s a program looking to make the real world his, permanently”.
Finally, it was announced that Nine Inch Nails will provide the music for the movie, which will be released on October 10th, 2025.
(L to R) Director James Cameron, Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña at D23 2024 presenting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo: Disney.
Oscar-winning director James Cameron revealed that the official title of ‘Avatar 3’ is ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. He also brought actors Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña on to the stage before showing concept art from the upcoming film. However, Cameron told the crowd it was too early to show footage.
Cameron had this to say about the new movie:
“It’s an insane adventure, and feast for eyes, but has high stakes. There are new characters that you will love, and love to hate. You’ll see more of Pandora than you ever seen before. The new film is not what you expect but what you want.”
Worthington added:
“We have been hard at work getting it done.”
Saldaña finished by thanking the fans for their support:
“We want to personally thank you for your support.”
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is scheduled for release on December 19th, 2025.
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D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Presented by Visa. Photo: The Walt Disney Company.
The consequences of the studios and other big companies that make up the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) not negotiating in good faith with writers and actors are continuing to be felt.
We already learned that Disney and Marvel have been juggling their schedules for big screen output to accommodate films that are delayed due to the strikes (or completed projects for which they want talent to be available to promote).
Yet that is also having a knock-on effect on the various Disney+ series that the superhero-focused studio produces. Which is hardly surprising given the deep intersections between Marvel’s movie and TV output (and the fact that the shows are also seeing delays due to writer and actor availability).
Animated series ‘What If…?’, which explores variations on characters and stories, has a second season ready to go, but will now launch in December this year (an exact date has yet to be announced).
‘Hawkeye’ spin-off ‘Echo’, based around Alaqua Cox‘s deaf Native American character, is shifting from November to January, while ‘X-Men ‘97’, a revival of the 1990s animated show, will fly from this fall to early next year.
Perhaps the biggest move underway is for the series currently known as ‘Agatha: Darkhold Diaries’ (formerly ‘Agatha: House of Harkness’ and then ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos’), now shifting to next fall, likely (probably a smart move) to arrive around Halloween 2024.
As for shows that were still in production (or post-production)? The likes of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ and ‘Wonder Man‘ will have to wait to gear up shooting again, while ‘Ironheart’ (featuring Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams, first introduced in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’), is stuck in post-production limbo, and does not currently have a launch slot.
‘Loki’s second season is still on track to launch on Disney+ on October 6th.
Marvel is no doubt figuring that the show –– which is still the most successful of the small screen MCU offerings –– will effectively sell itself. And it also doesn’t want to have the fall completely empty.
‘Loki’ picks up the story of the title character’s (Tom Hiddleston) journey around the multiverse, figuring out what is wrong with time and encountering variant versions of himself. Owen Wilson and Sophia Di Martino star in the series, with Ke Huy Quan a big guest star in this second season.
AMC scores waiver
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’
It’s not all bad news for those who produce TV series (and movies). Many independent productions have secured waivers to keep shooting or to promote their projects.
Perhaps the highest profile of recent examples is AMC, which is behind shows such as the mammoth ‘Walking Dead’ franchise and ‘Mayfair Witches’.
It might surprise you to learn that AMC Networks, whose AMC Studios produces most of its shows, is not an AMPTP member but is an “authorized” by the alliance, meaning AMC agrees to abide by any contracts between the AMPTP and industry unions such as the WGA or SAG-AFTRA.
The recent waiver from SAG-AFTRA (the union representing actors, which is currently on strike) means that three shows can continue work.
(L t R) Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’
‘Walking Dead’ spin-off ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ (surely self-explanatory for fans) can resume production while ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ (which sees the return of Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes and Danai Gurira’s Michonne to the franchise) finished shooting before the strike but can have the cast head to the studio for post-production work such as additional dialogue recording.
Anne Rice adaptation ‘Interview With the Vampire’ will return to shooting in Prague after shutting down when the actors’ strike started. No other AMC shows are currently included under the waiver.
