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The roof nearly came off Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con as Marvel Studios finally revealed the actor taking on one of its most iconic roles. The announcement instantly dominated social media.
British actor David Jonsson, whose recent performances in Industry, Rye Lane and The Long Walk have earned widespread praise, has been cast as the next Black Panther. Director Ryan Coogler confirmed the news during Marvel’s Hall H presentation, where he also announced his return to direct the third film. Black Panther 3 will be shot on 70mm and is set for release on 15 December 2028.
Instead of recasting T’Challa, the story will centre on his son. Coogler revealed that the young character introduced at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has now grown up, making it clear Jonsson will play T’Challa II, also known as Toussaint, the hidden heir to Wakanda’s throne.
The role carries enormous significance following the death of Chadwick Boseman, who first brought T’Challa to life in Captain America: Civil War, the original Black Panther and two Avengers films. Boseman died in 2020 at the age of 43 after a private battle with colon cancer.
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An emotional Jonsson joined the cast and filmmakers onstage after the announcement.
“Thank you to this amazing family that I have the honour and the privilege and the blessing to join,” he said. “Believe me, the honour is entirely mine.”
Cast and Hollywood Stars Celebrate
Jonsson was joined onstage by Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Coogler and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Wright later celebrated the casting on Instagram, writing, “Let’s go nephew,” a nod to Shuri’s relationship with T’Challa II.
The announcement quickly drew support from across Hollywood. Jodie Turner-Smith described Jonsson as the “loveliest human” and said she was excited to see what comes next. Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, Terry Crews, The Bear actress Ayo Edebiri and Michael B. Jordan also congratulated him. Jonsson later called the opportunity both a “privilege” and an “honour” in a post on Instagram.
‘One of the Best Actors of His Generation’
Film and television commentator Gerry Otim told BBC Newsbeat that Jonsson’s range and emotional depth make him a perfect fit for the role.
“When he performs, you can see there’s an emotional intelligence and subtlety to what he’s bringing to screen,” Otim said. “Every performance feels deeply human, even though he might be playing different roles.”
He pointed to Jonsson’s performances in The Long Walk and Rye Lane as examples of his versatility, calling him “supremely talented.”
Before the reveal, many fans had expected Damson Idris to land the role. Otim believes Marvel made the stronger choice by going in a different direction.
He also welcomed the decision to focus on T’Challa’s son instead of replacing the original character.
“It’s really cool just to see an African character who is so cool to watch on-screen,” he said. “This is a great way of making sure we don’t disrespect T’Challa’s legacy. It’s a character that meant so much to so many people.”
From East London to Wakanda
Jonsson’s rise to one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises has been remarkable. Raised in a working-class family in east London, he became the first Black actor to lead a screen adaptation of an Agatha Christie story. He has also won acclaim for playing Gus Sackey in HBO’s Industry and Andy in Alien: Romulus.
Speaking to BBC Newsbeat last year, Jonsson said films such as Love & Basketball, Friday and Mahogany inspired his love of acting and made him believe a career in film was possible.
“My dad loved movies and he was a huge advocate for us watching and appreciating art,” he said. “I’m eternally grateful for them taking a chance and saying, ‘Do what you want.’”
More Surprises from Comic-Con
Marvel wasn’t finished with its announcements. Ryan Gosling confirmed he’ll lead a new Ghost Rider film scheduled for 2028, while fans also got an exclusive preview of Avengers: Doomsday, which is due in cinemas on 18 December. Johnny Depp also surprised attendees by appearing in costume as Ebenezer Scrooge to promote the upcoming fantasy film Ebenezer.
Coogler also confirmed that Jonsson won’t be carrying Black Panther 3 alone. Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington is set to join the cast, with Feige revealing the studio had kept the long-planned casting under wraps for months before finally unveiling it in San Diego.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah