Denzel Washington is on a roll right now, as the Academy Award-winning actor is earning high praise from critics for his sensational, scene-stealing performance in the upcoming Ridley Scott epic, Gladiator II, which is scheduled to hit theaters on November 22. In India, the sequel to the original 2000 movie will arrive a week earlier than its global release, on November 15. While promoting the sequel on The Today Show, Washington confirmed that he will be appearing in Black Panther 3, finally becoming a part of the MCU after all these years.
Washington did not disclose details about his new MCU character but confirmed that director Ryan Coogler is writing a role for him in the forthcoming threequel. Additionally, he revealed his retirement plan in the following statement.
“I don’t know how many more films I’m gonna make. Probably not that many. I wan to do things I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22 and I’m about to play Othello 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.”
Washington is one of the most respected and bankable actors in Hollywood. His presence would elevate Black Panther 3 and draw in a wider audience. Despite the loss of Chadwick Boseman, the Black Panther franchise remains highly prominent across the globe. Letitia Wright’s Shuri took on the mantle of Wakanda’s protector in Wakanda Forever, serving as the rightful successor to Boseman’s T’Challa. The sequel also grossed over $859 million globally, proving that fans still love the franchise.
There are plenty of potential roles for Washington in Black Panther 3. For instance, the Gladiator II actor could portray Mosi, the first-ever Black Panther, who lived around 1,000,000 BC. Chosen by the panther goddess Bast, Mosi was the first to ingest the heart-shaped herb. Alternatively, Washington could play Bashenga, the first king of Wakanda and a powerful warrior who later consumed the heart-shaped herb and became a Black Panther. Bashenga is considered the founder of the Black Panther legacy and the Wakandan kingdom. This scenario would also honour Chadwick Boseman’s legacy.
Marvel could also pull a major twist, casting Washington as iconic characters like Magneto or Blue Marvel. Who knows? Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what role he gets in Black Panther 3—the fact that Washington is joining the MCU is incredibly exciting. Stay tuned for more updates.
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