Marvel producer Nate Moore has insisted it’s “too early to say” whether Denzel Washington will be in the third ‘Black Panther’ movie. This development comes as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, with Phase 5 already generating over $4 billion in global box office revenue.
The ‘Gladiator II’ star, 70, revealed last November that the superhero sub-series director Ryan Coogler, 38, had been writing him a role for the upcoming third flick, though producer Nate Moore has now stressed Marvel cannot confirm Washington’s involvement in the project because the studio hasn’t “had really substantive creative conversations” with the filmmaker about the movie yet. Coogler’s previous Marvel films have grossed over $2.2 billion worldwide.
“If that manifests, which we’re gonna try, I think it will probably be somebody from canon. Who that is, is early days,” Moore said talking to Screen Rant about Washington’s potential casting in the third ‘Black Panther’ blockbuster.
“We honestly haven’t had really substantive creative conversations with Ryan, mostly because he’s finishing his film ‘Sinners’, which is gonna come out this year and is gonna be great. So again, it’s too early to say, but obviously if an actor of the caliber of Denzel Washington wants in, we’re gonna figure out a way to make that happen.” Washington’s films have collectively earned over $4 billion at the global box office.
Washington had spilled his potential involvement in the next ‘Black Panther’ film when he was laying out what his final projects would be before he retired from Hollywood. The actor has won two Academy Awards from nine nominations throughout his illustrious career.
“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,” he told Australia’s ‘Today’ show.
Sharing the roles he had lined up before he sunsetted his acting career, ‘The Equalizer’ star teased: “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’. After that, I’m gonna do the film Othello. After that I’m gonna do King Lear. After that, I’m gonna retire.”
After spilling Coogler had been penning him a character in the third ‘Black Panther’ film, Washington said he had called the ‘Creed’ director to apologize to him. The ‘Creed’ franchise has earned over $400 million globally under Coogler’s direction.
“Ryan’s a genius. I called him and apologised for talking about the movie, and right there sitting with him was his beautiful wife,” he said during an appearance on Variety’s ‘Awards Circuit Podcast’. “He’s still Ryan, humble and full of ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read.”
The third ‘Black Panther’ movie will follow on from 2022’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘, and will likely see the return of Letitia Wright’s Shuri. The previous film grossed $859 million worldwide and received five Academy Award nominations.
During an appearance on ‘The View’, Wright, who teased there was “a lot coming up” for her character – who took on the Black Panther mantle in the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbuster – said: “[Shuri is] one of my favourite characters. Such a blessing, honestly. I kid you not, I’m so grateful for her.” The actress’s portrayal has earned critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.
The potential addition of Washington to the Black Panther franchise would mark another significant milestone for the MCU, which has consistently attracted A-list talent while breaking box office records and cultural barriers in the entertainment industry.
