‘Black Panther 3’: How Denzel Washington Could Join the Marvel Universe
With his official confirmation of his involvement in Marvel Studios’ upcoming ‘Black Panther 3’, Denzel Washington has sparked enthusiasm and conjecture regarding the character he may play. Although Marvel has not yet made the sequel official, a third episode seems imminent given the tremendous popularity of ‘Black Panther’ (2018) and its poignant follow-up, ‘Wakanda Forever’ (2022). Letitia Wright’s Shuri filled the vacuum left by Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020 as the new Black Panther, opening the door for new stories and characters to enter the franchise.
In November 2024, Washington disclosed on The Today Show that the sequel’s director, Ryan Coogler, wrote a special segment for him. Fans are looking forward to his MCU debut because of his remarkable career, which has spanned decades with memorable roles in movies like ‘Malcolm X’ and ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’. Some people think he would play Bashenga, the founder of Wakanda, or a variation of T’Challa, although Changamire, a lesser-known figure, is another possibility.
Image Courtesy: Variety
Changamire, a Wakandan philosopher and former instructor to King T’Chaka’s royal court, was first introduced in ‘Black Panther (Vol. 6) #2’ in 2016. He continued to teach in Birnin Azzaria despite being exiled from the Golden City due to his pacifist and anti-monarchist views. His lessons unintentionally encouraged Tetu and the People, a revolutionary organization, to overthrow Wakanda’s royalty. Changamire is a fascinating addition to the MCU because of his insight, moral dilemma, and mentoring position.
Washington’s casting as Changamire would enhance ‘Black Panther 3’s’ political undertones and give this nuanced character more weight. His presence can provide depth to the narrative since Changamire might challenge King M’Baku’s rule or mentor Shuri. ‘Black Panther 3’ seems to be an exciting continuation of the cherished franchise, thanks to Washington’s star power and the possibility of delving into Wakanda’s past and future.
–Farheen Ali