Ryan Coogler is “dying” to work with Denzel Washington. The acclaimed director’s interest comes as the Marvel franchise continues to expand its roster of legendary actors in upcoming projects.
The 38-year-old filmmaker is determined to secure the ‘Training Day’ star to appear in ‘Black Panther 3’ after the Oscar-winning actor previously let slip that Ryan had been writing a part for him in the upcoming sequel. Washington, with over 40 years in the industry, would bring unprecedented star power to the already successful franchise.
“I’m dying to work with Denzel and I’m hoping we can make that happen. I got every intention of working with him in that movie and as long as he’s interested — it’s going to happen,” Ryan told hosts Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson speaking on the ‘Nightcap’ podcast. The podcast, which regularly features high-profile entertainment guests, has become a popular platform for film industry revelations.
He went on to hail Denzel a “living legend and a great mentor”. This praise reflects Washington’s status in Hollywood, where he has earned two Academy Awards from ten nominations throughout his illustrious career.
“He’s all about looking out for us,” he added. Washington is known for mentoring younger Black filmmakers and actors in the industry, including Michael B. Jordan who starred in Coogler’s “Creed” and the first “Black Panther” film.
Ryan also teased fans will have “not long” to wait for the movie. This announcement comes as Marvel studios continues to adjust its release schedule following recent shifts in their cinematic universe timeline.
Denzel, 70, 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. His carefully selected final roles indicate his desire to work with visionary filmmakers like Coogler before concluding his acting 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. Washington’s selective approach to roles has become more pronounced in recent years as he focuses on legacy-defining performances.
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.” This ambitious lineup showcases Washington’s commitment to challenging roles in his final chapter as an actor.
But after sharing the news Ryan had been penning him a character in the third ‘Black Panther’ film, Denzel said he had called the ‘Creed’ director to apologise to him. This gesture demonstrates the mutual respect between the two filmmakers and the secretive nature of major studio productions.
“Ryan’s a genius. I called him and apologized 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’. Washington’s praise for Coogler highlights the director’s growing reputation in Hollywood following his success with both critically acclaimed independent films and blockbuster productions.
“He’s still Ryan, humble and full of ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read.” This endorsement from Washington underscores Coogler‘s talent as a storyteller who attracts A-list talent across generations.
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 sequel grossed over $850 million worldwide despite facing production challenges following the tragic death of original star Chadwick Boseman.
In 2023, the 31-year-old actress 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. Wright’s elevation to the lead role represented a significant shift in the franchise’s direction.
“[Shuri is] one of my favourite characters. Such a blessing, honestly. I kid you not, I’m so grateful for her,” Wright said during an appearance on ‘The View’. The character has become an inspiration for young women in STEM fields, with educational programs even developing curriculum around the fictional genius inventor.
