Before today, if someone had asked about my favorite thing about 2026 so far — more regarding pop culture than personal life — I’d almost definitely say Seth Rogen’s pitch-perfect Muppet Show revival special. It captured the spirit of the show and its troupe as splendidly as any Muppets project in the 21st century. But now it appears that will soon be eclipsed by a completely different kind of Muppets project: a crossover with Marvel’s superheroes.

That’s right, some of Jim Henson and Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s most beloved creations will be teaming up and/or squaring off for the first time in Marvel Comics’ upcoming one-shot special The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe, an obvious play on the 1984 film The Muppets Take Manhattan. (Which itself had a comic book adaptation published by Marvel.) The crossover doesn’t technically need a reason to exist, but it’s hitting stores in September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Muppet Show. Check out the main cover below from artist Nick Bradshaw:

Wokka wok-kanda! Things in Space! Captain Amahna-mahna-merica! The sky is the limit, people!

Okay, as far as what fans can actually expect, here's a breakdown for some of the various mash-up stories that'll be featured:

• The crossover kicks off with a story from writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Pete Woods, in which Rowlf gets dognapped by Mojo to help jumpstart his new streaming platform. Expect to see all the biggest characters, from Kermit and Miss Piggy to Spider-Man and Wolverine, as well as Black Panther, Emma Frost, Fozzie and more.
• Writer Kyle Starks and artist Mike Henderson head to Muppet Laps where Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker are testing an experiment with Bruce Banner and Hank Pym. Everything goes according to plan, and Beaker does not panic once. Orrr not.
• When Doctor Strange is unable to reverse the effects of a mystical virus plaguing Clea, he finds himself at the mercy of the Swedish Chef, with writer Ashley Allen and artist Paco Medina bringing this one to life.
• Writer MacKenzie Cadenhead and artist David Baldeon head into orbit for a Pigs in Space crossover with Rocket Raccoon and Groot.
• More stories will be included from Philip Kennedy Johnson, Adam F. Goldberg, E.J. Su and Áthila Fabbio.

Here's a fantastically self-aware statement from prolific comic scribe Chip Zdarsky:

He went on to say how pumped he is to write for Miss Piggy, whom Zdarsky considers "one of the greatest icons of the last hundred years, a character who speaks to every generation," before then saying "I also got to write Deadpool." Shots fired, Wade, even if the wounds aren't permanent. Sabrina Carpenter might not have such glowing compliments, though. Teehee.

You can bet I'll be preordering Mattew Lolli's variant cover paying homage to Muppet Treasure Island for its 30th anniversary. But the first page could be made out of toilet paper and it'd still be the best thing ever. Maybe not used toilet paper.

While I don't readily have expectations for this crossover comic book to lead to new projects being added to the lists of upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming Marvel TV shows, but I don't think it would hurt those odds if the one-shot ends up being a massive success. Even if it leads to a live-action one-shot like The Punisher: One Last Kill, or even something more akin to Bluey's mini-sodes, I'd welcome it all with open arms and retracted claws.

It's already been a big year for the Muppets, who also took over Disney World's Rock 'N' Roller Coaster for some musical thrills. So look forward to The Muppets Take The Marvel Universe hitting shelves on September 23, 2026.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, one that consistently puts out new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. There are countless questions about the upcoming Marvel movies, including Ryan Coogler's third Black Panther movie. There have been casting rumors about who might replace late actor Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa (or another Panther), and they're once again swirling. What's more, one of the rumored candidates has even responded to the discourse.

Folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will recall how news of Boseman's death shocked fans, and how Ryan Coogler had to completely rework Wakanda Forever as a result. While Letitia Wright's Shuri became the new Panther, there have been rumors as of late about someone else possibly playing Boseman's character T'Challa. They've once again returned to the internet with a new report by TheCosmicCircus, where scooper Alex Perez claimed the studio was looking at two names in particular. He alleges:

Obviously, this is just a rumor at this point, and we should probably take it with a grain of salt for the time being. This report doesn't clarify if these actors would play T'Challa or a new Wakandan character, but it will likely still result in even more people tossing Damson Idris' name around online. We'll just have to wait and see what Coogler and Kevin Feige have up their sleeve for the developing third Black Panther movie.

Fans have already spent years wondering the threequel might entail, ever since Denzel Washington revealed that Ryan Coogler was writing a role for him. If another actor takes on the mantle of the Black Panther (or plays a multiversal variant of T'Challa), they're going to have some very big shoes to fill. Hopefully, we get more information about what Coogler is planning sooner rather than later.

What Damson Idris Has Previously Said About Black Panther

There has been chatter around Damson Idris possibly joining Black Panther for a while now. While the actor has dodged questions in interviews, back in January, Idris responded to fans who want him to follow in Chadwick Boseman's footsteps. He was quoted saying:

Damson Idris also joked about turning down the role before, so it's unclear if there's any legitimacy to the rumors about him in Black Panther 3. Clearly, there's a ton of interest in Coogler's franchise, and for the Snowfall actor.

Of course, the latest rumor also claimed that John David Washington is also being considered. His star power has been steadily growing lately, including his starring role in Christopher Nolan's Tenet and Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman. We'll just have to wait and see if a replacement is actually cast, and who takes up the claws of Wakanda's protector.

The first two Black Panther movies are streaming now on Disney+, and a number of Wakandan characters will pop up in Avengers: Doomsday when it hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Chadwick Boseman remains greatly missed following his death from colon cancer at the age of 43 in 2020. His legacy remains fully intact, though, and part of that is due to the warm ways in which so many people continue to talk about him. Boseman crossed paths with more than a few notable actors during his lifetime, and one of them is fellow Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. The Sing Sing lead recently reflected on his friendship with Boseman, and he specifically shared one warm gesture that really touched my heart.

Domingo and Boseman co-starred in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and, while speaking to THR, Domingo spoke lovingly about collaborating with him on that August Wilson adaptation. Before they worked on that film, though, the two stars only knew each other casually and had met on a few occasions. Domingo specifically remembered one instance in which he met Boseman shortly after Black Panther smashed box office records. As the Rustin star recalled, the exchange began when he approached the Marvel actor at a party:

Colman Domingo wasn’t the household name that he is today when he rubbed shoulders with Chadwick Boseman at that point in his career. So the fact that Boseman would go out of his way to hype up Domingo at the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s Night Before party speaks volumes. I continue to be a fan of Boseman’s body of work but, the more I hear about him from others, I appreciate his apparent kindness and classiness even more. Domingo also emphasized the rare position that both he and Boseman have been in:

Domingo makes a good point in that only a handful of African American male actors manage to break through and sustain mainstream success. Sitting in that column alongside him and Boseman are the likes of Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan, who won Best Actor at the Oscars earlier this year. Domingo also mentioned Jordan when discussing Boseman’s continued impact:

Jordan has also shared warm feelings about Boseman, who he worked with on Black Panther. Amid his recent awards campaign, Jordan even revealed that he continued to honor Boseman by keeping a stuffed panther around. The Get On Up star’s death also sticks with BP director Ryan Coogler, and the filmmaker recently recalled how Boseman supported him on the set of the superhero flick and how the late actor changed his perspective on life.

Chadwick Boseman’s shadow truly looms large and, nearly six years after his passing, it remains surreal to me that he’s no longer with us. There’s comfort to be found, however, in posthumously learning about his positive actions from Colman Domingo and others.

Chadwick Boseman firmly solidified his place within the pantheon of superhero movies through his role of King T’Challa a.k.a. the Black Panther. His performance as the Marvel Cinematic Universe character has been praised, and it’s arguably been valued even more since Boseman’s death in 2020. More recently, there have been rumors about T’Challa being recast for an upcoming MCU project, though that’s far from confirmed. A DC alum has since been linked to that chatter, and he has a take on someone succeeding Boseman.

The actor in question is Aldis Hodge, whose superhero-related roles include Carter Hall/Hawkman in Black Adam and John Stewart/Green Lantern in the animated film Green Lantern: Beware My Power. As of late, Hodge’s name has been thrown into the mix when it comes to Black Panther recasting speculation. During a recent interview with 7PM in Brooklyn (which is on YouTube), Hodge was asked how he’d feel about possibly taking over for Chadwick Boseman. The actor called the situation “delicate” before saying:

Hodge is speaking nothing but facts here, in my humble opinion. In the event that someone else actually does take on the role of the T’Challa, they’ll have to be cognizant of the fact that they’re walking into something far bigger than themself. Stepping into those shoes would be quite a task, and not just from a performance standpoint. That’s because fans would surely have sky-high expectations due to the high standard Boseman set. Hodge also mentioned another factor that makes this potential recasting different from others:

So many fans still think of Chadwick Boseman fondly, and that affection also comes from those he worked with. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler recently said having Boseman’s support as he worked on that film. Also, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recalled his final conversation with Boseman before his death, and it’s quite bittersweet in hindsight. So, I say all of this to say there’s a lot of emotional baggage surrounding this role.

As for whether T’Challa will actually be recast, that remains up in the air, though Black Panther franchise producer Nate Moore told CinemaBlend any kind of recasting would be “intentional” and not “cheap.” Rumors have also been swirling around actor Damson Idris, with reports suggesting he’ll play either a multiversal variant of T’Challa in Avengers: Doomsday. Idris has since laughed off the speculation, and Hodge also shared a funny take on whether he was up for the role:

Of course, that could always change, and Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios could decide to reach out. And, with the DC Extended Universe and DC Animated Universe continuities now done, this would be a prime time to scoop Hodge up. Still, regardless of whether he actually finds himself in contention for the role, I just appreciate how much thought he’s put into anyone following Chadwick Boseman’s panther-sized footsteps.

Right now, Letitia Wright’s Shuri is the protector of Wakanda, and fans can watch her in both Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever, which are streamable with a Disney+ subscription. Shuri and her fellow Wakandans will also return in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on December 18, 2026.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for consistently bringing new content to fans, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that certain franchises are fan favorites, chief among them being Black Panther. Oscar-winning filmmaker recently spoke about how Marvel and Disney reacted after Chadwick Boseman's sudden death in 2020.

Boseman's passing was a shock to both his fans and collaborators, as he was having a private battle with colon cancer. Ryan Coogler issued a statement shortly after his death, and the story of Wakanda Forever was overhauled to be a tribute to the late actor's legacy. During a recent appearance at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (via THR), Coogler spoke about how Kevin Feige and Disney CEO Bob Iger flew to speak to him mid-pandemic, offering:

How sweet is that? While one might assume that Iger and Feige were focused on upcoming Marvel movies, and the future of Black Panther, that seemingly wasn't the case. Instead they spoke to Ryan Coogler as a person in the midst of mourning, which is a refreshing attitude in an otherwise cutthroat industry.

As previously mentioned, Black Panther 2's story had to be completely redone after Chadwick Boseman's death, with Wakanda Forever being a moving meditation on grief. The cast and creatives have been honest about how hard it's been to grapple with the late actor's passing, especially when returning to set for Ryan Coogler's sophomore Marvel project. Later in that same appearance the Sinners filmmaker praised Boseman's character and talents, offering:

Clearly playing T'Challa meant a great deal to Coogler. And the Get On Up actor ended up becoming a real-life hero to countless young people of color after Black Panther was released in theaters. It's a shame that his tenure was cut short, but it's clear that his legacy is still very much with us.

The Black Panther franchise is streaming on Disney+, and the next Marvel movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to see what Coogler is cooking up for the third film set in Wakanda.

2016’s Captain America: Civil War remains one of the most important Marvel Cinematic Universe movies for a variety of reasons, including introducing Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther. Following that memorable debut, Boseman reprsied the character for his own solo movie, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and he was supposed to return for the Black Panther sequel. Sadly, the actor died on August 28, 2020 at the age of 43, and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has now shared the last thing Boseman told him before his passing.

Kevin Feige recalled this while speaking with Ryan Coogler, director of the Black Panther movies, and Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy at the dedication celebration for the Universtiy of Southern California’s Kevin Feige Division of Film & Television Production for its School of Cinematic Arts, with all three men being USC graduates. During the conversation (via THR), Feige said that during his last meeting with Chadwick Boseman, the actor shared how much fun he was having voicing an alternate version of T’Challa in the animated series What If… ?. Boseman was hoping to bring that same kind of “vibe” to Black Panther 2, but he unforunately never got to do so.

The Marvel Studios president talked about this to reflect a broader point about how he took Chadwick Boseman, as well as other colleagues and friends, for granted. With this shared universe allowing for continued colaborations with many actors and other talents, Feige just assumed he’d spend more time with Boseman once the time came to make another Black Panther movie or Avengers movie. He continued:

As for Ryan Coogler, he shared back in 2022 that he last spoke with Chadwick Boseman a few weeks before he died. The filmmaker called the actor up to get his thoughts on the Black Panther 2 script before it recevied notes from the studio. However, Coogler revealed last December that Boseman was too sick to read the script by that point. So there was never a point where a T’Challa-focused Black Panther sequel was ever in development past that stage, and after Boseman died, Coogler and Marvel decided to have T’Challa die offscreen as well and have his sister, Letitia Wright’s Shuri, succeed him in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

It’s a shame that Kevin Feige and Ryan Coogler, and really the entire world, didn’t get to spend more time with Chadwick Boseman and see him not only play T’Challa many more times, but inhabit various other roles. Boseman’s passing went on to help inspire Coogler’s latest movie, Sinners, which is nominated in 16 categories at the 98th Academy Awards. We’ll see how it fares this Sunday on ABC, and Coogler is also hard at work putting together Black Panther 3 as his next movie.

Ryan Coogler is one of the busiest people in Hollywood. The success of Sinners was overwhelming, and now the filmmaker is in the midst of a huge Oscar campaign for the film. However, don’t think fans have forgotten the impending Black Panther 3. The Marvel film is still top-of-mind for MCU fans who loved the initial installments, which featured Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, and the late Chadwick Boseman. Now, it seems like another star from the Coogler-verse wants to join the director on the third Black Panther film, and it needs to happen.

Delroy Lindo opened up about his long acting career, despite the fact that attention for his work hasn’t been as prominent as it should be with THR. He was amazing in movies like Crooklyn and Malcom X before his memorable turn in Sinners, which made him a 2026 Academy Award nominee. Now, Lindo is riding the high and doesn’t want it to end just yet, especially if it means working with Coogler again. He said he expressed interest to the filmmaker in joining the Black Panther cast for the third movie, explaining:

I totally respect this, too. To many people, Delroy Lindo is a new face in Hollywood, but he has actually had a long, storied career. He has popped up in small roles over the years, but these roles have been pivotal and in demand of an actor like Lindo to truly give them dimension. He is a seasoned actor who deserves respect in the form of a great part. Coogler clearly knows this, and he only would bring Lindo on if he had something that was deserving of an actor like Lindo.

However, as a fan, I totally want to see Lindo join Black Panther 3. The end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever raises a lot of questions. We don’t know what will happen with characters like M’Baku and his potential future leadership of a new Wakanda, despite Shuri being the Black Panther. We also don’t know how the events of the second film will change Wakanda’s stature in the world.

These questions give a lot of room for opportunity for new characters to shine. I could totally see Lindo playing a potential mentor to Shuri, or an influential world figure who creates conflict for Wakanda. The possibilities are endless, and Lino’s enthusiasm is promising.

The more I think about it, bringing Lindo into Black Panther 3 feels like a choice that could elevate the franchise even further. I understand Coogler wants to be intentional when it comes to his collaborators, but I can’t think of a collaboration more worth pursuing again. Lindo’s interest here also speaks to the director's prowess as a filmmaker, and how enjoyable of an experience it was working with him on Sinners. It will be a while before Black Panther 3 comes into fruition, but I will certainly be keeping an eye on casting announcements.

In the meantime, you can check out Delroy Lindo in his recent Ryan Coogler collaboration, Sinners, which is currently streaming with an HBO Max subscription. Fans can also revisit both Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever now with a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, one that's constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. It's safe to say that the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, especially as the marketing campaign has begun. Im hyped to see what The Russo Brothers are bringing to the blockbuster, but Michael B. Jordan's comments about Chadwick Boseman have me in my feelings about his absence.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but Chadwick Boseman's 2020 death obviously means T'Challa won't be included. His absence has been felt in projects like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and he'll be noticeably missing from the next two Avengers movies. During an appearance at SBIFF 2026, Jordan gushed about his relationship with the late actor, saying:

Clearly Jordan has (and continues to) have a ton of respect and love for Chadwick Boseman. He really helped to lead the Black Panther cast, encouraging his co-stars to step up their game and bring the world of Wakanda to life. That includes working hard and even staying in character while on set. Those efforts paid off, as Black Panther was a huge success when arriving in theaters.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know how instantly Black Panther became a fan favorite franchise. Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan's chemistry was part of the reason why Ryan Coogler's movie worked so well, as the Oscar-nominated Sinners star put it:

He's not wrong. While some Marvel villains have left something to be desired, Killmonger's quest for vengeance and power was an emotional, human story. And when he and T'Challa got to connect, particularly during Black Panther's ending, the two actors' chemistry exploded off the screen.

The Black Panther cast and crew has been open about their grief over Boseman, especially once they returned to set for Wakanda Forever. Michael B. Jordan went on to share how bummed he is that he won't be able to collaborate with the late actor again, saying:

One has to assume that Boseman would be included in the next Avengers movie if he was still with us today. Both Letitia Wright and Winston Duke were confirmed with the Doomsday cast announcement, so Wakanda will once again factor into the story. And I'm sure that Marvel fans will feel the late actor's absence, especially after he had such memorable roles in Infinity War and Doomsday.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly releasing new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Folks who have been watching the Marvel movies in order know that some properties stand out as fan favorites, chief among them being Ryan Coogler's Black Panther movies. The director offered two takeaways from the release of the sequel Wakanda Forever, and one of them truly surprised me. Let's break it all down.

Wakanda continues to be an important part of the MCU, and it'll seemingly be featured in the upcoming Marvel movie Avengers: Doomsday. And while fans are looking forward to Coogler's developing threequel, the Oscar-nominated director spoke to THR about the first sequel, offering:

The resilience part makes a great deal of sense. After all, Chadwick Boseman's death put the original plans for Black Panther 2. The story had to be completely reworked, and the cast and crew filmed the project while in the throes of grief. But I was really surprised to hear the Wakanda Forever is more popular on streaming than the original movie. Mind blown.

The original Black Panther became an Oscar-nominated sensation upon its release in 2018, performing well with critics as well as at the box office. Chadwick Boseman's character quickly turned into a fan favorite, and he became a real-life hero to young Black fans in the audience. And while Wakanda Forever was also wildly successful, I didn't expect it to be the more popular of the two over on Disney+. But perhaps this is due to the characters being established, and audiences also having strong feelings about Boseman. After all, that title is a meditation on grief first, and a superhero movie second.

It should be fascinating to see what Ryan Coogler brings to a third movie, and how it might change the order of streaming popularity. Not much is known about what he's bringing to the table, although Denzel Washington revealed that a role is being written for him in Black Panther 3. But the timeline of its development and release remains unclear.

As previously mentioned, a number of Black Panther characters ill appear as part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, including Letitia Wright's Shuri, Winston Duke's M'Baku, and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. It should be interesting to see how they factor into the multiversal story, and how it influences the threequel.

The Black Panther movies are streaming on Disney+, and Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Clearly Wakanda is here to stay. I guess you can say it'll be around Forever.

Ryan Coogler is one of the hottest directors in Hollywood right now. Coming off the incredible success of Sinners, Coogler is riding higher than ever before. The director says he’s not taking these moments for granted, something he credits his Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman with teaching him. That wisdom all came during a time Coogler said he was constantly afraid he was going to get fired.

Ryan Coogler recently appeared on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, and the topic turned to Chadwick Boseman. Coogler talks about the fun they would have on set, despite the director being incredibly “stressed out” by the production. He says Boseman taught him to be more present in the moment and enjoy the times he had. Coogler recalled…

It’s hard to imagine Ryan Coogler dealing with imposter syndrome. His talent as a director has been clearly on display since the first time he directed Michael B. Jordan in Fruitvale Station. Coogler’s star would rise quickly after that but, perhaps, it rose a bit more quickly than he was comfortable with.

Black Panther was the biggest movie ever in the careers of both Ryan Coogler and Chadwick Boseman at the time it was made. It would not surprise anybody if both had been nothing but balls of stress that entire time. However, it seems that Boseman was much more collected, which allowed him to help his director enormously. Apparently, Coogler was constantly in fear of being fired from the film, but Boseman made a keen assurance to his collaborator. Coogler continued…

Today, Ryan Coogler is making deals with Warner Bros. that might change the way that directors work with studios for decades. He not only made one of the most successful original movies in years, but he's changing the industry. Nevermind that he made Black Panther -- one of the biggest movies in one of the biggest franchises ever. It's a really good thing he was never fired, because cinema would be poorer without Ryan Coogler.

We also certainly lost a talented actor when Chadwick Boseman passed away, but we clearly also lost a great man, who truly understood how to enjoy life and who made his friends better. Check out Boseman's work, including Black Panther, which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription.

Another week means another teaser for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday for fans to dissect. The latest piece of promotion for the Russo Brothers’ forthcoming superhero movie highlights Wakanda as well as the denizens of the underwater nation of Talokan. Of everything shown in the brief clip, something that really stands out is the fact that Namor and his people are above ground. That fact sparked a theory that I initially questioned, but it’s now starting to make more sense.

What Have Been Fans Been Theorizing Following This Latest Doomsday Tease?

There’s a lot of desert-based iconography in the latest Avengers clip, which shows new Black Panther’s Shuri and M’Baku (who’s now Wakanda’s king), meeting with Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four. Meanwhile, Namor is shown sitting on his throne, as members of his people look out at a sandy landscape that includes a temple that appears native to Talokan. Fans subsequently took to forums like Reddit and X to share the theory that the film’s main villain, Doctor Doom, drains all of the water from the nation, leaving the land barren and dry.

Not everyone seems to agree with that assumption, however. There’s another subset of fans who believe Namor and co. are simply in the Wakandan desert, which is where Shuri and her allies appear to be. In complete honesty, upon hearing this viewpoint and the initial one, I was somewhat conflicted. There seemed to be merit to both ideas, and the somewhat ambiguous nature of the teaser doesn’t do viewers any favors.

Considering the sense of uncertainty I felt early on, I decided to watch the clip a few more times, and thank goodness for that. It’s because of those subsequent viewings that I think I now have a bit of additional clarity regarding what’s going on.

Why The Wakanda-Centric Teaser Is Starting To Make More Sense To Me

After a few more viewings of that Avengers: Doomsday teaser, I feel confident in saying I think the Shuri/M’Baku and Namor segments are set in two different locations. It feels as though the crafty editors tied them together in this way due to the fact that the locales look similar. For me personally, everything here actually seems connected except for the portion featuring the people of Talokan. On that note, Shuri’s convoy does indeed seem to be on the desert outskirts of Wakanda.

The people of Talokan, however, appear to be in their native land, which could very well have been drained of water. While that may sound surprising, it’s definitely possible, as the villainous Doctor Doom (played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.) could be causing multiversal incursions that have affected the underwater nation’s land. Such a move would also be smart on Doom’s part, as it could theoretically weaken Namor and his allies. Check out the teaser below:

Overall, what we seem to have here are two separate segments from Doomsday that take place in different locations. I could be wrong, of course, but that’s where my head is at. Speculation aside, though, it’s just so cool seeing Wakandans interacting with a member of the Fantastic Four as well as the return of Namor. Doom apparently has big plans, and I love that, like Thanos before him, his machinations seem to be so far-reaching that he’s uniting people from different corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Fans will get to see the Wakandans, the Fantastic Four, the people of Talokan and more return in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on December 18 amid the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, stream MCU films using a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for keeping fans on their toes, thanks to projects in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is arguably Avengers: Doomsday, and the studio has been methodically releasing quick teasers featuring the Doomsday cast. The latest brought us back to Wakanda, pairing the Black Panther stars with none other than Fantastic Four: First Steps' Thing.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, which is why fans have gobbled up every second of footage that's been released. It all started with the Chris Evans' Captain America teaser, but the latest featured Shuri, M'Baku, and Namor. And they surprisingly come face to face with Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm/ Thing. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? While we've gotten a bunch of these short teasers like the one about Thor and his daughter Love, this one is the first that confirmed one of the movie's many impending crossovers. The Thing in Wakanda is already thrilling enough to make me want to buy a ticket.

In this clip we hear Letitia Wright's Shuri narrating, catching us up with what's been happening in the fictional country since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's ending. She laments the deaths of Queen Ramonda and T'Challa, and also confirms that M'Baku has indeed become King. That's when Winston Duke's character appears, and meets none other than The Thing. Is it just me, or does The Thing and The King sound like a great spinoff title for this unlikely duo?

The fact that Ben Grimm somehow traveled to Wakanda might be surprising to some fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order. After all, the Thunderbolts* credits scene heavily teased that the Fantastic Four would be having a crossover with the New Avengers. But it looks like that won't be the only exciting melding of characters.

In addition to Shuri and M'Baku, this brief clip also showed the return of Tenoch Huerta's Namor. While he was the primary antagonist of Wakanda Forever, Ryan Coogler's sequel saw him reach an uneasy alliance with the fictional country. This might be a serious boon for the good guys, as they're seemingly going to need all the help they can get when Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom comes knocking.

This isn't the first time that Wakanda has factored into the Avengers franchise. The big battle at the end of Infinity War was famously set there, to epic results. But now Namor and his forces are also present, and it should be fascinating to see how they factor in the movie's mysterious story.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get a full trailer soon, including details about the movie's mysterious plot.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, consistently releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Folks who have watched the Marvel movies in order know that certain franchises stand out as fan favorites, chief among them being Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. And actor Damson Idris recently responded to calls for him to replace late actor Chadwick Boseman in upcoming Marvel movies. Let's break it all down.

Chadwick Boseman's sudden death shocked his fans and friends alike, with Ryan Coogler changing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to honor his legacy. Idris has been asked about playing T'Challa before, and in an interview with Variety at the 2026 Golden Globes he got real about the chatter, saying:

Sounds like a healthy perspective. While the star of F1 has heard the chatter and is honored by fans wanting him to play T'Challa, it sounds like there's no plans for that casting to actually happen. Although he admitted he's a Black Panther fan just like the rest of us. We'll just have to wait and see what Coogler has planned for the developing threequel.

Shortly after the Masrshall actor died, a debate began about whether or not to replace Chadwick Boseman and continue T'Challa's story. The decision was made to kill off the character, with both the characters and cast doing a meditation on grief throughout the sequel Wakanda Forever. But with the multiverse in play, it still seems like just about anything is possible in the MCU.

Chadwick Boseman's tenure as the character ended with What If...? which was recorded prior to this death. But the character T'Challa means a great deal to fans, which is why some of them want to see another character take on the mantle. As such, the debate about who could replace him will likely continue... with Damson Idris' name continuing to be dropped online.

Fans are curious about what Ryan Coogler is planning for Black Panther 3, which is seemingly still in its early stages of development. Not much is known about what might go down in the threequel, although Denzel Washington revealed that a role is being written for him. This news broke the internet, and fans are curious about exactly who he might play.

It's currently unclear when Black Panther 3 will hit theaters. But a number of characters from Wakanda are confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, which will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Ryan Coogler just had a massive 2025 with Sinners, an original genre film that was the rare kind of movie to become a commercial success. The vampire drama has also been acclaimed and is now positioned as key player in this year’s awards season. (And it also made it to the top of CinemaBlend’s best 2025 movies list). So, considering that success with an original feature, why is Coogler's next movie Black Panther 3? The filmmaker was just asked that very question, and he humorously dropped an F-bomb while answering.

Back in November, Coogler shared that his next film would be Black Panther 3 , though as far as we know, it hasn't earned a release date among upcoming Marvel movies. The fan-favorite director recently shared a passionate response when asked about why he's venturing into the world of Wakanda yet again:

Ryan Coogler’s comments were shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast after Josh Horowitz asked the director why he’d go back to the franchise after proving he doesn’t need an IP to make a successful movie. As can be seen above, the 39-year-old filmmaker shared that he’s returning to Black Panther because he’s excited about what stories he can tell, rather than focusing on what he can “prove” to anyone else. As he continued:

In the interview, Coogler also shared that he’s “got this movie on [his] heart” above anything else. Per his response, he’s not doing it for the paycheck or because Black Panther has historically done well commercially. Instead, he’s genuinely interested in continuing the stories he began. Oh, and he said he’s going to be the “happiest” person on the planet come the day he gets to direct Denzel Washington in whatever role he writes for him after the actor broke the Internet by announcing he’d be in it.

In the same breath, the Creed helmer also shared that he has enjoyed the opportunity to “prove” things to himself over the course of his career. He brought up the example of how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was essentially about “powerful Black women who were grappling with grief while also doing incredibly important jobs and also starring indigenous Meso-American people." With that job, Coogler had a “good time” showing such a film could make over $800 million at the worldwide box office. But, as he pointed out, that’s not why he was making it.

Rumor has it that Black Panther 3’s release window is February 2028, but we’ll have to continue to follow Ryan Coogler to learn where he’s at with the production. It’s also worth noting that Coogler is also working on an X-Files reboot right now, too.

Marvel Studios’ slate is currently thin, with there being three official upcoming movies on the calendar to round out the Multiverse Saga, Spider-Man Brand New Day (coming this summer), Avengers: Doomsday (out this December) and Avengers: Secret Wars (hitting theaters in December 2027). I can’t wait to see what Coogler cooks up and how he adds to the lore surrounding Wakanda.

Years after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrived in theaters as both a sequel and a farewell, Ryan Coogler is offering one of his most candid accounts yet of how limited the creative process was before Chadwick Boseman's death. The comments paint a sobering picture of a production that barely had time to begin before tragedy halted everything.

Coogler opened up during a recent conversation on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, a clip of which was later shared to Instagram. In it, the Fruitvale Station filmmaker explained that Boseman’s health had declined to the point where he was physically unable to read the sequel’s script. The admission underscores just how limited the creative process was on Wakanda Forever before Boseman passed away in August 2020. As Coogler put it:

That detail adds important context to a question fans have debated for years: how much of Wakanda Forever was actually designed with Chadwick Boseman in mind? According to Coogler, while a script did exist, Boseman’s condition meant the sequel was never truly in motion. As the Oakland native put it, it simply “wasn’t going to happen” in the way they had originally hoped. As a result, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had to be rebuilt almost entirely from the ground up, moving forward without its star and emotional center.

The Black Panther moviemaker has spoken before about the grief that followed Boseman’s passing, but this latest reflection underscores just how sudden and destabilizing the loss was on a deeply personal level. In the same conversation, he admitted how hard it hit him to learn what Boseman had thought of him, saying:

Boseman had kept his illness largely private, even from collaborators, and continued working whenever he could. That he never reached a point where he could fully engage with the sequel’s script highlights how quickly his condition worsened behind the scenes.

For Marvel Studios, the question of whether to recast T’Challa became one of the most difficult decisions in the history of the MCU. Ultimately, Coogler and the studio chose to let Boseman’s take on Black Panther rest, reshaping Wakanda Forever into a story centered on mourning and legacy. Characters like Shuri, Queen Ramonda, and Namor stepped into the spotlight, allowing the film to process loss both within the narrative and for the people making it.

The Creed helmer has previously described making the film as one of the hardest experiences of his career. The director has repeatedly said he considered walking away entirely, unsure whether continuing without the late T'Challa actor was even possible. It was encouragement from Boseman’s family and the cast that ultimately convinced him to keep going, with the understanding that the film would serve as a tribute rather than a replacement.

Those feelings carried through the entire production, something the cast has echoed repeatedly since the film’s release. Speaking around the time of the premiere, Lupita Nyong'o said the story deliberately embraced the real grief the cast was experiencing.

Danai Gurira described the sequel as being “grounded in him and rooted in the power of his spirit,” pointing to Boseman’s leadership and generosity as something that never left the set. Coogler carried that presence with him in a very literal way, wearing a necklace bearing Boseman’s image throughout filming as a reminder of what the movie was meant to honor. That influence didn’t end there either. Coogler has continued to carry Boseman’s memory forward, allowing it to inform and inspire his work beyond Wakanda Forever, including later projects like Sinners.

Hearing the Sinners director speak so plainly about how Black Panther 2 had to be reshaped after Boseman’s death makes the finished film feel even more remarkable. Wakanda Forever wasn’t built on an abandoned blueprint. It was rebuilt from the ground up, shaped by grief, memory, and a shared commitment to honoring a man who forever changed the MCU, even in his absence.

Black Panther and Wakanda Forever are both available to stream with a Disney+ subscription, along with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in release order.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, one that constantly releases new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Those who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that some franchises are fan favorites, chief among them being Ryan Coogler's Black Panther. And Michael B. Jordan recently revealed the sweet memento he keeps to remind him of late actor Chadwick Boseman.

Black Panther was an Oscar-nominated success that instantly became a sensation upon its release. Boseman became a real-life hero to many as a result, which is why his sudden passing continues to be so devastating. In a video from BAFTA, Jordan revealed that he's got a stuffed panther that he keeps as a reminder of his late co-star, as he shared:

The pair of stars had great chemistry in the Marvel blockbuster, with Killmonger and T'Challa battling each other and ultimately finding some common ground through Black Panther's ending. Unfortunately Jordan and Boseman wouldn't be able to continue working together as a result of the latter actor's death. You can see the panther stuffie blow:

Michael B. Jordan had a surprise cameo in Wakanda Forever, with Killmonger speaking to Shuri in the Ancestral Plane. Overall the blockbuster was a meditation on grief, with the cast and crew using their real-life feelings about Boseman death to inform the project.

The cast of the Black Panther has been very open about their feelings of grief in the years since Chadwick Boseman passed away. While Jordan has a keepsake in his home, Lupita Nyong'o has penned tributes to her late collaborator and friend. Angela Bassett also talked about the loss, and the decision not to recast the role of T'Challa with another actor.

Michael B. Jordan's friendship with Boseman clearly continues to mean something to him, despite the years that have passed since the late actor's death. Grief comes in waves, and it's heartening to hear the way the Creed star/director honors his Black Panther co-star.

Since Wakanda Forever was very much about the loss of Boseman IRL, it should be fascinating to see where Ryan Coogler takes the franchise next. Wakanda Forever's ending left some narrative threads to pull from, specifically the revelation that T'Challa and Nakia had a child. And while Shuri is the new Panther, she's not ruling as the Queen of Wakanda.

While it remains to be seen when Black Panther 3 will arrive, both Shuri and M'Baku are expected to appear in Avengers: Doomsday when it arrives in theaters December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Quite often, there is a significant disconnect between the movies that become blockbuster hits and the movies that win awards, which are often deemed to be more artistic endeavors. It’s not uncommon for directors who tend to work in that second group to make the occasional comment about why there’s something wrong with the first group, specifically as it regards the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Martin Scorsese has done it, as has Francis Ford Coppola.

However, one film can be both things, and Ryan Coogler has a knack for making them. Specifically, Sinners was a movie that made a killing at the box office while also being a darling of critics, and we can even add Francis Ford Coppola to that list of admirers. He took a moment recently to praise Sinners with some very strong language on Instagram, showing that he may take issue with some movies Ryan Coogler has made, but not this one. Coppola said…

Coppola’s praise echoes that of many who saw Sinners earlier this year when it was in theaters, and those who have seen it since with an HBO Max subscription. It became one of the highest-grossing non-franchise films we’ve seen in a very long time.

Francis Ford Coppola has certainly been on the opposite side of the box office from Sinners or Marvel movies in recent years. His newest film, Megalopolis, was a passion project that he self-financed in order to get it made. The movie failed to be either a critical or a commercial success, despite incredible ambition.

Movies have been called an “empathy machine" for the way they can make an audience feel for and understand characters in ways they might not have been able to beforehand. Francis Ford Coppola indicates this is why Sinners is so great, because it deals very specifically with issues of race from a perspective that he cannot have, but it allows him to begin at least to understand that experience. He continued…

Francis Ford Coppola’s praise for Sinners following his condemnation of Marvel movies is interesting because the creator of Sinners, Ryan Coogler, is also part of the MCU, and more than that, he arguably made the best Marvel movie, Black Panther. It’s the movie that people interested in “cinema” are generally allowed to say they like. But it gets grouped in with all the rest when discussing why Marvel movies are a sign of the fall of civilization.

Perhaps Francis Ford Coppola’s love for Sinners will lead him to seek out Black Panther and give Marvel movies another chance.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always growing, with new titles regularly arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that certain properties stand out as fan favorites, chief among them being Ryan Coogler's Oscar-nominated Black Panther. The world of Wakanda is beloved, as is late star Chadwick Boseman. And his wife recently explained the qualities the next Panther will need to have.

Ryan Coogler is developing Black Panther 3, which is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies. The sequel Wakanda Forever saw Shuri become the next Panther, although she chose not to rule the fictional country. Boseman was recently given a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where his wife Simone spoke to ET about what traits the future Black Panther should have to continue his legacy. In her words:

It sounds like Boseman understood the importance of his role as T'Challa/ Black Panther in the MCU. Indeed, he became a real-life hero to many young people out there, especially Black Marvel fans who finally saw themselves reflected in the shared universe. Representation is important, and it sounds like the late actor understood what his Marvel role meant to people.

Case in point: fans sent thousands of letters to Boseman's onscreen father after his death in 2020. The Get On Up actor also surprised Black Panther fans who were gushing about him. The actor's widow Simone Leonard Boseman spoke more about his understanding of the character's importance, saying:

While the MCU has taken steps in recent years to become a more diverse place, Chadwick Boseman's debut as T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War was a huge step in representation. And when Ryan Coogler assembled an outstanding team of talent for Black Panther, the world (and Oscar voters) noticed.

Aside from discernment, Boseman's wife also revealed another trait that she's hoping any future Black Panthers have in them. As she told the same outlet:

This kindness is yet another reason why the late actor was a hero to so many out there. He radiated kindness, especially for Marvel fans who were enamored by his work as T'Challa.

Exactly what Coogler has up his sleeve for the next Black Panther movie is a mystery at this time, although Denzel Washington revealed a role is being written for him. The end of Wakanda Forever left some big questions, including the reveal of T'Challa's son. So we'll have to wait and see what comes next for that fan favorite franchise.

In the meantime, Shuri and M'Baku were confirmed for the Avengers: Doomsday cast, and that title will hit theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. It's currently unclear when the third Black Panther will arrive in theaters, but it's in active development now.

Marvel fans, get excited, Ryan Coogler has confirmed that Black Panther 3 is getting closer to being made. Yes, the Creed director admitted that the upcoming Marvel movie is the next film he plans to make. However, there’s a reason why I’m not convinced that this means the film will be made right away.

Ryan Coogler Confirmed That Black Panther 3 Is His Next Movie

In the midst of the success of Sinners on the 2025 movie schedule, Ryan Coogler is being asked about what he’s going to work on next. During an interview with Deadline, he was specifically asked “how quickly” he’ll do Black Panther 3. In response, he said:

Then, when Coogler was asked if Black Panther 3 was up next for him, the director took a beat to think about it before saying:

I think the keyword there is “movie.” He didn’t say it was his next project in general. That got me thinking about a TV show Coogler is working on that he said was “immediately next” for him a few months ago.

Ryan Coogler Is Also Working On An X-Files TV Show

Now, get excited for that confirmation, because it is wonderful news. However, make sure to temper your expectations. I couldn’t help but notice how intentionally Coogler said that Black Panther 3 will be his next movie. That’s because he’s also currently working on a TV show, and I'm wondering if that will come first.

I write that because, when Coogler appeared on Last Podcast On The Left back in April, he was asked, “What’s next?” His response was not Black Panther, it was X-Files. Specifically, he said:

During his appearance, he confirmed that he had spoken to Gillian Anderson about the project, and his excitement about what’s coming down the line was palpable. He said:

So, it's possible that Black Panther 3 will not be the next project he works on. It seems like X-Files could be, and if that’s the case, that likely means we’ll have to wait a while to go back to Wakanda.

For context, news broke about Coogler’s X-Files project in 2023, and it’s been in development since. Now, based on the Sinners’ director’s past comments, it seems like it will be a top priority for him. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if that comes before Black Panther 3.

Plus, there’s no denying the fact that Marvel movies take a while to make, and while Coogler has spoken about Black Panther 3 before, it currently does not have a release date, and we know basically nothing about it (other than Denzel Washington said he’ll have a role in it). There have been rumors that Black Panther 3 could be released in early 2028, with production set for 2027. However, again, none of that is confirmed.

All this is to say, hold tight, everyone. Ryan Coogler is a busy man with multiple projects, including a TV show, on the horizon. So, while he said this highly anticipated MCU flick will be his next movie, it’s possible that he has other projects to make before that, like the new X-Files show.

Again, none of that is fully confirmed and anything can happen, though. So, we’ll just have to wait and see what Ryan Coogler decides to work on next. In the meantime, we’ll keep you posted on the future of Black Panther, and you can stream the first two movies with a Disney+ subscription.

The summer movie season is here, and as usual Walt Disney Studios has some heavy-hitters to bring audiences to the movies during the warm months – and to infinity and beyond! The company just came off a huge box office slay with the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 has been breaking box office records. So, what’s next for the House of Mouse? You can take a look below and find out!

Before you continue, we should note that The Walt Disney Company also has a bunch more than you’ll see here: there’s upcoming Marvel movies like Avengers: Doomsday on the way this holiday season and more Star Wars movies after The Mandalorian & Grogu such as Starfighter coming next summer. Here’s a look at everything Disney has announced for the rest of this year and all the years to come.

Moana (Live-Action)

Release Date: July 10, 2026

Knowing how successful live-action remakes of Disney movies are, we probably could have guessed that a live-action Moana would happen someday, but few might have expected it to happen so fast. Just about a decade after the animated hit was released, the live-action version is set to debut from Walt Disney Studios. Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role in the flesh as Maui. Catherine Lagaʻaia will debut as the new Moana.

Super Troopers 3

Release Date: August 7, 2026

The Broken Lizard team is back with what is sure to be another incredible comedy with Super Troopers 3. Exactly what this movie will be about is unclear, but I can't imagine that anybody excited for it is going to care.

The Dog Stars

Release Date: August 28, 2026

When Ridley Scott makes a new movie, everybody should take notice. The Dog Stars is one of the upcoming book-to-screen adaptations on the way, as it is based on a bestseller from Peter Heller. The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic story that follows characters played by Josh Brolin and Jacob Elordi in the aftermath of a pandemic that has wiped out most life on the planet. The movie comes from Disney’s 20th Century Studios.

Whalefall

Release date: October 16, 2026

Another 20th Century Studios film, Whalefall is based on a novel by Daniel Kraus. It’s about a man scuba diving in search of his fathers remains, who is accidentally swallowed by a whale, and must find a way to escape. It stars Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, and Elisabeth Shue and is written and helmed by Brian Duffield.

Wild Horse Nine

Release Date: November 6, 2026

Searchlight Pictures has a black comedy starring the likes of John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Parker Posey coming out just in time for awards season. It’s about two longtime CIA officers living in 1973 who get stationed in Easter Island. The movie is written and directed by In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin filmmaker Martin McDonagh

Hexed

Release Date: November 25, 2026

Announced during Disney’s Destination D23 event in August 2025, Hexed is an original story from Walt Disney Animation Studios that follows a teenager named Billie and his “Type-A” mother who discover she has magical abilities. This discovery leads them to a world where magic can run free. Hailee Steinfeld plays Billie and Rashida Jones voices her mom, Alice.

Ice Age: Boiling Point

Release Date: February 5, 2027

After Blue Sky Studios shut down in 2021, there was a time when more Ice Age movies seemed out of the realm of possibility. However, when it was acquired by The Walt Disney Company as part of its acquisition of 20th Century Fox that soon changed. The new movie brings back all our favorite characters from the series: Ray Romano’s Manny, John Leguizamo’s Sid, Denis Leary’s Diego, Queen Latifah’s Ellie and Simon Pegg’s “Buck” Wild.

Gatto

Release Date: March 5, 2027

The upcoming original Pixar title is set in Venice and focuses on a cat named Nero who needs to pay back a debt to a feline mob boss. This leads Nero into an unlikely partnership with a street musician. It comes from the filmmaker of Luca, Enrico Casarosa, and stars Mark Ruffalo as the leading kitty.

Bluey

Release Date: August 6, 2027

Bluey, the Australian animated kids show, has proven to be a hit for all ages and is regularly among the most-watched shows on Disney+. Disney will also distribute a feature-length Bluey movie in 2027 directed by the show’s creator Joe Brumm and giving the show’s beloved characters a big-screen debut.

The Simpsons Movie 2

Release Date: September 3, 2027

20 years after their last big screen endeavor The Simpsons will once again hit the big screen thanks to Disney’s 20th Century Studios. We don’t have many details about the plot of this one yet.

Frozen III

Release Date: November 24, 2027

Frozen is too big of a phenomenon to not receive another sequel, and it’s on the way for next fall. We know the third movie will feature Anna and Kristoff having a royal wedding and a mysterious adventure will once again have Elsa using her magical abilities to save her family and kingdom. The Frozen 3 release date for November 2027. Jennifer Lee previously confirmed that the story is so big it will require two movies, though when we’ll see the second one has yet to be officially announced.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: February 18, 2028

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Lilo & Stitch 2

Release Date: May 26, 2028

The sequel to the live action Lilo & Stitch was announced quickly after the first film's success, and the release date has already been set, indicating this movie is on the fast track. We expect to see Maia Kealoha’s Lilo, Sydney Agudong’s Nani and the voice of Stitch, Chris Sanders back, but details about the sequel are currently under wraps.

Incredibles 3

Release Date: June 16, 2028

Officially announced as being in development at D23 2024, Incredibles 3 has a summer release date which places its release at exactly a decade since the last one came out. Life moves as fast as Dash does!

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: November 10, 2028

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: February 16, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: March 9, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: May 25, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Animation

Release Date: June 15, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed animated movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: August 3, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: October 5, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Disney Movie

Release Date: November 9, 2029

Disney is holding this date on the release calendar for an as yet unnamed movie.

Untitled Pixar Movie

Release Date: November 21, 2029

As of now, the movie set for this date is officially untitled, but since we know Coco 2 is in development, and the original film was also a November release, it's a safe bet that the movie is at least planned to go here.

Avatar 4

Release Date: December 21, 2029

James Cameron has said that parts of Avatar 4 were filmed alongside Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, but another massive production will need to get underway to finish out the five-movie cycle. Cameron had hinted the last two films may not actually happen, but thus far, we still expect them.

Avatar 5

Release Date: December 19, 2031

The final Avatar movie will finally arrive in 2031, assuming there are not more delays, or plans change for James Cameron.

Recent Releases

Are you looking for a recently released Walt Disney Company movie that already came out that you may have missed? Check out how you can watch the latest movies that came out within the past year below:

Now In Theaters

Toy Story 5

Now Streaming On Disney+

Avatar: Fire And Ash
Hoppers
Zootopia 2
Tron: Ares

Now Streaming On Hulu

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
Psycho Killer
Send Help

Available To Buy Only

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (On Digital Now, Coming To Disney+/Hulu on July 29)

The death of Chadwick Boseman was a tragic event. Fans the world over mourned the loss of the actor. His death not only robbed us of all the great performances he could have produced in the decades to come, but it also required big changes to work that had already been planned... even more than we actually knew. That includes a Black Panther project that never came to be.

The most high-profile pivot required was in the production of the planned Black Panther sequel that had to go forward without Boseman, but it turns out we would have likely seen another Boseman/Marvel project had he lived. Bryan Andrews, the showrunner of the upcoming Marvel Zombies! animated series (which is spinning off from What If…?) confirmed we'll see the appearance of a voiceless T’Challa in the likeness of Boseman. He recently told ScreenRant that an entirely different spinoff from the series would have happened if the late actor were still with us. He explained…

What If…? saw different takes on the existing Marvel Cinematic Universe. One Season 1 episode saw the MCU invaded by a zombie virus, and that episode will lead into the upcoming Marvel Zombies! series, available with a Disney+ subscription. However, the second episode of the show was titled “What If…T’Challa became Star-Lord" and created a world in which the Wakandan was grabbed by the Ravagers instead of Peter Quill.

While not every MCU actor voiced their character in What If…?, Boseman did. His voice role as Black Panther on the series, in which he appeared in four episodes of the first season, is actually his final recorded performance. T’Chala appeared in the zombie episode as well, so including him in the spinoff made sense. Even if the character couldn’t be given a voice.

While recasting Chadwick Boseman has always been an option, Marvel has simply refused to do that. In live-action, the death of the actor meant the death of the character as well. It seems that even in animation, the decision was made that the MCU Black Panther is Chadwick Boseman, and that’s just the way it is. Even if he couldn’t be given a voice, that character will still be seen when possible. Andrews continued…

This potential What If…? series wasn’t even the only thing potentially cancelled as a result of Boseman’s death. A new Avengers attraction currently under construction at Disneyland Resort was, based on concept art, going to have Black Panther and Wakanda as a big part of its story. The attraction, called Avengers Infinity Defense, is now a multiverse storyline. While it’s never been stated that Boseman’s death led to the change, it’s not difficult to see the connection.

Chadwick Boseman was truly unique. Recasting him, even as a voice actor, is clearly something that Marvel doesn’t feel can truly be done. At least in animation, we can still see him again, and we will when Marvel Zombies arrives this week.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly offering new content, thanks to projects coming in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. One of the most hotly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies is Ryan Coogler's Black Panther 3, which is in development. Denzel Washington revealed he's being written a role in the blockbuster, breaking the internet in the process. So obviously he was asked about that again recently.

While Black Panther 3 has a rumored release window, basically nothing is known about what's going to happen in the big screen return to Wakanda. While Ryan Coogler said Washington was like family, exactly who he'll be playing in the MCU is a mystery. When speaking with ScreenRant about his new Spike Lee movie Highest 2 Lowest, he was asked about joining the beloved Marvel franchise. Unfortunately he only offered:

Fine, you can play it cool Mr. Washington. Almost nothing is known about what the third Black Panther movie will be about, and it seems like it's going to stay that way for the time being. After all Wakanda Forever's ending offered a number of thrilling narrative threads to pull from.

Of course, it's also possible that Washington might not actually know what will go down with his role in Ryan Coogler's threequel. The movie is seemingly only its in early development stage, and it's unclear how much writing the Sinners filmmaker has done so far. So we might all just have to try and be patient.

As previously mentioned, the events of the second Black Panther left a bunch of question about the future of Coogler's beloved franchise. At the end of the film Shuri became the next Panther, but didn't take the trial to try and rule her fictional country. Instead, it was hinted that M'Baku might be the new King.

Additionally, the Wakanda Forever credits scene revealed that T'Challa and Nakia had secretly had a baby. This could add another fold to who will ultimately sit on the Throne and be in control of the high tech society and its mines of Vibranium.

Ever since Washington let slip about his role in Black Panther 3, fans have been wondering who he might play in the forthcoming blockbuster. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that Coogler's franchise is a favorite, so the pressure is on for the third installment to deliver. Especially after recent sequels like Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and Thor: Love and Thunder failed to resonate with audiences. No pressure.

The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 24th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. Fingers crossed that we get more information about Black Panther 3 sooner rather than later.

The Black Panther mythology is expanding, thanks to a new animated anthology series, Eyes of Wakanda. A prequel to the Ryan Coogler-helmed Marvel Cinematic Universe film series, the four-episode miniseries centers on brave warriors who seek to recover Wakandan artifacts scattered across the globe. It’s a beautifully animated and well-written show that not only ties into BP lore beautifully but also stands firmly on its own. With that, I’d now love to see another MCU franchise receive a similar kind of production.

Which MCU Franchise Deserves An Animated Offshoot Like Eyes Of Wakanda And Why?

Although there are plenty of superhero-based franchises within the MCU, I’d argue that there are only a handful that have truly established distinct lore that’s worth excavating. One of those is the Shang-Chi property, which kicked off with 2021’s The Legend of the Ten Rings. That story squarely focuses on the eponymous kung fu savant and his attempts to confront his past. However, director Destin Daniel Cretton and co. also managed to introduce some other cool characters and developments into the narrative.

Marvel Studios’ first film to feature a predominantly Asian cast thrusts viewers into the history of the Ten Rings organization, which is led by the immortal, ten ring-wielding Wenwu a.k.a. The Mandarin. An animated limited series could center on Wenwu’s exploits, which span a thousand years. Writers could also theoretically dig deeper into Ta Lo, the mystical dimension that Shang-Chi’s late mother helped safeguard against outsiders. Surely, there are wondrous tales that can be told about that visually stunning land and its inhabitants.

All in all, what I’m saying is that this is a culturally rich IP we have here, and a beautifully animated show would be a great way to expand upon it. Not only that, but the corporate pieces could be in place for it to happen. Cretton now seems to be very tight with the creatives at Marvel, given he’s directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day and is a producer on Wonder Man, which hits the 2025 TV schedule later this year. Still, given the current state of his martial arts franchise, a show may just be a pipe dream.

What’s Going On With The Shang-Chi Franchise?

There’s been a lot of speculation about the next chapter in the Simu Liu-led MCU franchise. It’s long been known that a Shang-Chi sequel is in the works, but work on that has seemingly been slow. While the titular character headlined a 2024 episode of the animated series What If…? internet users have commented on his lack of visibility since his solo film. Liu has been shutting down rumors regarding the sequel being canceled, but I, along with other fans, remain anxious for more concrete updates.

Something that is known is that while Cretton oversees Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie, Simu Liu is reprising his superhero role in another project. Liu will play the character again in the upcoming team-up film Avengers: Doomsday alongside a number of other power players in the cinematic universe.

Despite that, the Shang-Chi franchise has been without a new installment for far too long. So, even if it doesn’t continue right away in the form of another live-action film, why not greenlight an animated prequel series to whet fans’ appetites? After all, Eyes of Wakanda does also serve as a nice bit of storytelling to tide viewers over ahead of the now-in-development Black Panther 3. It may be foolish to do so, but I’ll be holding onto hope that Marvel expands upon the lore of its resident martial artist using an awesome cartoon.

In the meantime, stream all episodes of Eyes of Wakanda and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as well as other MCU movies and TV shows using a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, and fans are constantly treated to new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies is Ryan Coogler's Black Panther 3, which is still in its earliest stages of development. A new rumor claims to know when it'll hit theaters, and I really hope it's true.

Those who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will know that some franchises stand out as fan favorites. Black Panther is definitely in that category, which is why fans are so eager to see what comes next after Wakanda Forever's ending. In a new episode of The Hot Mic, scooper Jeff Sneider offered a timeline about that developing threequel. He offered:

Well, that's exciting. While just a rumor at this point, this offers an actual timeline about when we should expect Coogler's third Black Panther movie to film and eventually hit theaters. Since almost nothing about that project has been revealed to the general public, this is sure to promptly go viral.

As previously mentioned, we're pretty much in the dark for the next big screen adventure in Wakanda. Coogler and company have been keeping their cards close to the chest, although Denzel Washington revealed he's expected to have a role in the blockbuster. Although exactly who he might play in Black Panther 3 is a total mystery.

Given how little progress has been made so far, a February 2028 release date seems reasonable for Coogler's threequel. We'll just have to wait and see if/when this schedule is confirmed by the studio.

Narratively, there are plenty of threads to pull from with a third Black Panther movie. The first sequel ended with Shuri becoming the next Panther, but not taking the throne. It was heavily implied that M'Baku might become king, but Wakanda Forever's credits scene revealed that T'Challa and Nakia had a secret son. As such, he might have his own claim to the throne.

We might have to wait a few years to see another BP movie, but connections to Wakanda continue to be part of the MCU. The animated series Eyes of Wakanda is on Disney+ now, and the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement confirmed Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Tenoch Huerta Mejía would be reprising their roles as Shuri, M'Baku, and Namor, respectively.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th, 2026, as part of the 2026 movie release list. Let's just hope that we get information about the future of the Black Panther franchise sooner rather than later.

Spoilers for Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda lie ahead.

Eyes of Wakanda is the latest superhero show to hit the 2025 TV schedule, and it’s a sweet piece of work. Produced by Ryan Coogler, the four-episode miniseries highlights different periods in history and follows members of the Hatut Zaraze, who must retrieve Wakandan artifacts made of Vibranium. I was definitely expecting the show to be steeped in the Black Panther franchise’s mythology. However, I was surprised that the finale had an explicit link to the first movie in the Panther series, and it's definitely worth discussing.

How Does Eyes Of Wakanda’s Finale Directly Tie Into Black Panther?

The final episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe-set series (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) is titled “The Last Panther.” In it, the two War Dogs, the young and brash Tafari and the seasoned and strong Kuda, recover a vibranium axe amid the First Italo-Ethiopian War in 1896. On their way back to Wakanda, the duo encounter a powerful warrior dressed in Panther-like garb. Not only is this character indeed a Black Panther but one who hails from 500 years into the future.

It turns out this particular Panther comes from a timeline in which Earth has been invaded by monstrous aliens. As she explains (and uses advanced mental technology to visualize), her era shifted out of balance once Tafari took the axe. Because it wasn’t left in its place amid the battlefield, the item wasn’t in the position to be recovered and eventually held in the Museum of Great Britain years later. That museum is where Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue steal it during the events of the first Black Panther movie.

While it may seem odd as to why the axe would need to be stolen, it makes sense. Killmonger and Klaue’s actions set in motion the former’s war with T’Challa and co., which eventually leads to T’Challa opening Wakanda to the rest of the world. That lack of unity in the alternate timeline is what leaves the planet vulnerable to the alien horde. Ultimately, Tafari and Kuda are convinced of the Panther’s story and return the axe. In short, it’s an unexpected yet cool story that makes me appreciate this franchise’s lore even more.

Eyes Of Wakanda Effectively Adds To The Black Panther Franchise's Worldbuilding Efforts

Creatives behind certain MCU installments craft interesting lore, with titles like Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel and Loki being prime examples. However, in many cases, some of the interconnected franchise’s properties don’t feature fully fleshed out worlds. That’s not a problem with the Black Panther series, thanks to the efforts of Ryan Coogler and co. Despite being a fictional place, Wakanda feels like a rich location with a storied history and culture. That richness only expands in 2022’s Wakanda Forever, which also introduces Talokan.

It’s no wonder that Panther remains one of Marvel’s biggest IPs, and that makes it unfortunate that the property has experienced setbacks over the past several years. The biggest, of course, was the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T’Challa. A planned TV spinoff centered on Okoye of the Dora Milaje is reportedly not in the cards now, either.

Thank goodness for Eyes of Wakanda, though, which adds cool concepts and characters to the canon. It even introduces a new version of Iron Fist to the MCU. On top of that, a third Black Panther movie (featuring Denzel Washington) is in the works, too. At present, however, I’m just impressed with how this new animated prequel series ties the lore together with a time travel-centric story involving a simple macguffin.

Stream Eyes of Wakanda on Disney+ now alongside the Black Panther movies. Also, read up on upcoming Marvel shows.

If there’s one thing that fans who’ve enjoyed the Marvel movies in order have known for a long time now, it’s that the studio behind 2025 movies like Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and recent hit The Fantastic Four: First Steps always has lots of creative irons in the fire. As such, there are several films that were announced as being in the planning stages years ago, but which have been slow to take root. Now, though, we’ve gotten an update on the Blade reboot, Black Panther, and Deadpool, as superhero franchises experience a “pullback.”

What’s Been Said About The Current Plans For Blade, Deadpool And Black Panther?

It was roughly six years ago (during San Diego Comic-Con 2019) that a Blade reboot starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was announced with much fanfare. Numerous delays have hit the upcoming Marvel movie since then (even with some potential good news about the story involving Wesley Snipes, as well), and we still don’t have any idea when things will get rolling.

Meanwhile, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is doing well in theaters, and with major hits in the studio’s rearview like Deadpool & Wolverine and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, many are wondering where things stand with the long-awaited reboot and new appearances for old faves like Deadpool and Black Panther. According to a report from Variety, fans should be prepared to wait even longer in at least two cases, as the outlet notes:

As everyone who pays close attention to the world of superhero movies will likely realize, we are hardly in the pre-pandemic boom times that kept all of our excitement levels at 100. This means that things have changed across the board when it comes to spending mega-bucks on every potential superhero blockbuster, especially when one of the biggest markets for those movies, China, has begun to turn its attention elsewhere and business for new superhero movies is way down in that country.

While we can look forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day on the 2026 movies schedule, as well as the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday (with both currently filming), those two will be exceptions to the new rule of doing everything possible to “keep the cost down,” which includes not loading up casts with A-list talent who command major salaries. Because of that, the Ryan Reynolds-starring Deadpool franchise, as well as the Ali-led Blade update, are still in a holding pattern for now.

However, with Ryan Coogler still riding the high of Sinners, his early 2025 horror hit starring Marvel favorite Michael B. Jordan, things are percolating at a much higher level for a third Black Panther film, particularly with Denzel Washington rebelling against MCU secrecy and revealing he’s going to be in the movie.

Obviously, lots of folks will be disappointed by this update, but remember that some good news is better than none.

Speaking as a fan of superhero movies, I actually tend to prefer the source material in most cases. However, if there is one thing I believe most films (and a few TV shows) have handled better than the comics, it is making the heroes and villains look pretty good. The following are some essential examples of comic book characters whose screen iterations had better costume designs.

Batman (Batman Begins)

I believe the nighttime attire worn by Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne in 2005's Batman Begins outshines what the comics had delivered up to that point, not just in the aesthetic sense. I also love this Batsuit for its practicality and ingenuity, boasting features that include a fully bulletproof top to cover his entire torso and a cape that turns into wings when an electric current is run through it.

Captain America (Captain America: The First Avenger)

Steve Rogers' original costume from Marvel Comics is a bit hokey, with its winged helmet and feathery finish, but the outfit worn by Chris Evans' MCU iteration had a bit of an uneven history before its preferred final form. In his debut in Captain America: The First Avenger, he bears the stars and stripes on a tactical suit that thankfully made a comeback in the third act of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, following his ridiculous uniform from The Avengers.

Wonder Woman (Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

Instead of a patriotic leotard (which, given her Themiscyrian ancestry, does not make sense), Gal Gadot's Diana Prince fights in Amazonian battle armor. It also bears a bird-shaped emblem at the top, instead of a "WW," which also would have been nonsense to include, considering she never actually gives herself the name "Wonder Woman" in the DC Extended Universe.

Ant-Man (Ant-Man)

In 2015's Ant-Man, when Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) first sees the suit and helmet that he would soon use to shrink to microscopic size, he points out that it looks like a motorcycle outfit. Indeed, it does, which alone makes it an improvement over the tight jumpsuit with a partially opened, antannaed helmet that Hank Pym wears in the comics.

Robin (Batman & Robin)

I am not a fan of the impractical, anatomically correct full rubber suits that plagued the live-action Batman movies of the '80s and '90s. However, I am thankful that Batman & Robin's grown-up version of the Boy Wonder (played by Chris O'Donnell) is not just wearing a leotard. I even admire the decision to replace the green and yellow in his color scheme with black for added stealth, like his older companion... not that stealth is ever really a necessity for these iterations of the Caped Crusaders anyway.

Iron Man (Iron Man)

I would say it is no wonder that more recent comic books show Tony Stark wearing Iron Man armor that better resembles the sleek design created for Robert Downey Jr.'s MCU iteration, instead of the bulkier original suit.

Superman (Man Of Steel)

I am still convinced that the all-time best Superman costume created for live-action media was worn by Henry Cavill in 2013's Man of Steel. In fact, I think Clark Kent's red and blues from the DC Extended Universe outshine that of any of his comic book iterations, and for one reason in particular: I have never been a fan of his red trunks, and I am happy to see that feature omitted here.

Black Panther (Captain America: Civil War)

In his first appearance in Marvel Comics, T'Challa's warrior outfit was merely a skin-tight jumpsuit with a cape. Chadwick Boseman's MCU iteration of Black Panther ditches the cape, thankfully, and gives him some tangible armor, complemented beautifully by the pointed charms placed between his neck and shoulders.

Hawkeye (The Avengers)

I would say it was the right call for Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton to lose the helmet that Hawkeye wears in the comics, as I doubt it would have translated well to live-action cinema. At least, the suit he wears in 2012's The Avengers and subsequent MCU installments retains some of the purple from his original color scheme.

Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man (Spider-Man)

Author Sean O'Connell's book, With Great Power: How Spider-Man Conquered Hollywood During the Golden Age of Comic Book Blockbusters, actually quotes my description of what, arguably, makes Tobey Maguire's suit from Sam Raimi's trilogy the best live-action Spider-Man costume. The early 2000s era Peter Parker looked best for his outfit's anatomically correct spider emblems on the front and back, striking platinum webbing, and some mean-looking eyes.

Falcon (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

It was easier for fans to take Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam "Falcon" Wilson seriously than his comic book counterpart due to the drastic changes to his uniform. Removing his red and white V-neck jumpsuit with attached, foldout wings in favor of a tactical outfit and mechanical, retractable flight gear was the right call.

Scarlet Witch (WandaVision)

We caught a glimpse of what Scarlet Witch's original design would look like if adapted for live action in WandaVision when Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) wore an exaggerated headpiece, red leotard, and cape for Halloween. This would help viewers better appreciate the outfit she settles on at the end of the series, which is more grounded but also better represents her unparalleled power as a sorcerer.

Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

There are many reasons why Michael Keaton's Adrian "The Vulture" Toomes from Spider-Man: Homecoming is considered one of the all-time best Spider-Man movie villains, including his costume. Giving the experimental weapons dealer more practical wings, powered by propellers, helps ground the character better than his design in the comics, which is just an old dude in homemade feathered wings.

Thor (Thor)

Like many other Marvel Comics heroes of his time, Thor was originally depicted as wearing a tight, sleeveless jumpsuit, in addition to his signature winged metal helmet. I would say Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder boasts a decent-looking helmet at the beginning of his 2011 MCU debut, but I am especially glad his outfit actually includes armor that also covers his arms in a sleek fashion.

Star-Lord (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Chris Pratt's Peter Quill simply looks so much cooler in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, rocking a red leather duster and protective face mask, as opposed to a uniform that looks exactly like what the Nova Corps wears in the comics.

Doctor Strange (Doctor Strange)

Instead of tights and a tunic, putting Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr. Stephen Strange from 2016's Doctor Strange in a monk-like robe with the Cloak of Levitation made it easier to take the role seriously in the MCU.

Shazam (Shazam!)

You could argue that the costume worn by Zachary Levi's Billy Batson is a bit cartoonish, but that fits perfectly with the more breezy, comical tone of 2019's Shazam! The biggest selling point for me, however, is the constantly glowing lightning emblem, which is just a brilliant touch.

Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

Previous iterations of Harvey "Two-Face" Dent see half of his face become a bizarre, discolored monstrosity, inspiring him to wear custom-made, dual-colored suits. For Aaron Eckhart's version from 2008's The Dark Knight, the damaged side of his face resembles a more authentic result of a burning incident, and his suit's "evil half" is simply charred from the same event, grounding his appearance and, therefore, making the Batman villain even more unsettling.

Mr. Furious (Mystery Men)

I can't imagine seeing Ben Stiller's version of Mr. Furious in the same red and black jumpsuit the raging vigilante wears in Dark Horse's Flaming Carrot comics. However, putting him in a flame-embroidered black leather duster in 1998's Mystery Men works so well.

Nick Fury (The Avengers)

Can you even begin to imagine Samuel L. Jackson wearing Nick Fury's stealth suit from the comics instead of the black leather jacket he wears in The Avengers? Not even David Hasselhoff dressed like that for his pre-MCU portrayal of the character in the made-for-TV movie, Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Fantastic Four (2005's Fantastic Four)

I think the cast of the MCU's The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks great in their outfits, which call to mind the characters' original comic book appearances in the 1960s. However, I personally prefer the darker and more minimalistic approach in the otherwise widely despised adaptation from 2005.

M'Baku (Black Panther)

I cannot help but assume that Winston Duke's M'Baku would have looked simply ridiculous wearing a white gorilla's whole face around his head in 2018's Black Panther. However, settling for a decorative mask and a few touches of fur suit the portrayal perfectly.

Nebula (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Originally, in the comics, Nebula was not a cyborg, but just another, otherwise fierce, blue woman with long hair like Gamora and a traditionally feminine uniform. Making Karen Gillan's iteration from Guardians of the Galaxy a victim of mechanical alterations not only improves her look, but also adds some absorbing complexity to her story.

Loki (Thor)

For 2011's Thor, it was right to get Loki out of his tight, green jumpsuit from the comics and into a more earnestly crafted outfit fit for a god, especially when played by an actor like Tom Hiddleston.

Black Spider-Man Suit (Spider-Man 3)

I realize that the Black Spidersuit from 2007's Spider-Man 3, the result of the alien Symbiote bonding with Peter Parker's red and blues, is, essentially, nothing more than a monochromatic redesign of Tobey Maguire's original suit. However, when considering how iconic that costume already was (and remains), the simple recoloring makes it pop in the same way that printing a photo in black and white tends to improve the image.

Mr. Freeze (Batman & Robin)

I don't think there is a single person who would deny that the way 1997's Batman & Robin depicts the "coldhearted" Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is egregiously over-the-top. However, I cannot deny that I believe the design of his costume, handcrafted from aircraft-grade aluminum and thousands of blue LED lights, is epic, especially when compared to the colorful jumpsuit and glass bulb helmet he was given when the comics still called him "Mr. Zero."

Charlie Cox's Daredevil (Daredevil)

The early 2000s take on non-seeing attorney Matt Murdock's vengeful vigilante alter ego (played by Ben Affleck) tried to improve on the comics' red, skintight spandex jumpsuit by replacing it with red, skintight leather. The acclaimed MCU canon series Daredevil put star Charlie Cox in a Kevlar suit with a protective helmet that combines a subtle shade of burgundy with accents of black, resulting in a suit that wins over the originals in terms of both style and function.

Pepper "Rescue" Potts (Avengers: Endgame)

In 2010, Pepper Potts took on an armored vigilante alter ego known as Rescue, whose suit was, essentially, a feminized rework of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor, color scheme, and all. When Gwyneth Paltrow brought Rescue into the MCU in Avengers: Endgame, the appearance changed things up a bit by making purple the main color of her armor.

Moon Knight (Moon Knight)

Honestly, just about all comic book iterations of Moon Knight have looked pretty cool, but Oscar Isaac's Marc Spector from the Disney+ original series, Moon Knight, boasts an outfit that is more comparatively authentic to a genuine Egyptian warrior. Not to mention, giving him actual glowing white eyes makes him infinitely more intimidating.

Yondu (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 from 2017 pays tribute to the comic book iteration of Yondu by having Michael Rooker wear a punk rock mohawk-style fin on his head, which is certainly fun to see. However, I'm glad James Gunn refrained from bringing back the character's very revealing original outfit, which is basically two straps to cover his nipples and a skirt.

The Eternals (Eternals)

With all due respect to the late, great Jack Kirby, his original designs for the immortal Marvel heroes known as the Eternals are pretty generic. However, their outfits from Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao's 2021 movie are far sleeker and more grounded, with additional details that help them stand out from other MCU characters.

Valkyrie (Thor: Ragnarok)

Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie trades in a typical, suggestive armored leotard for awesome-looking full-body warrior garb in 2017's Thor: Ragnarok.

Spoilers ahead for Ironheart.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly treating fans to new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The latter brought us the recent release of Ironheart, which centered around Dominique Thorne's Riri Wiliams after she debuted in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. I had a great time watching the spinoff, mostly because it did something that all my favorite Marvel movies do. Namely, it has a unique POV and something to say.

Fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have seen how the franchise has ebbed and flowed in the years since Avengers: Endgame was released. The Ironheart TV series is out in its entirety now, and I was truly shocked by how much I loved it. While I've watched every MCU series, this one brought something wholly unique to the table. Aside from Ryan Coogler and company fusing magic and tech, the show had a setting and group of characters so real you could touch them. And, the way that the series connected to the MCU as a whole was chef's kiss.

Ironheart Brought Something New To The MCU

All of my favorite Marvel projects had a unique POV and something to say. Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy are two prime examples, as they were director-driven and unlike anything seen previously in the shared universe. The same can also be said with some of the TV series, especially WandaVision and Loki. Rather than simply giving us a ground-level story about Riri Williams becoming a bonafide superhero, we got a fully fleshed out world with tons of surprising plot twists.

Aside from its tone and delightful cast of characters, Ironheart also broke ground for the MCU as a whole. Specifically by mixing magic and tech in a way we haven't seen before. This comes as Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is about to be introduced, a villain who is known for combining these two elements in his evil plans.

Ironheart's Ties To The MCU's History Felt Organic

While the series told a story about Riri in Chicago, it also featured a number of satisfying and surprising ties to other projects in the MCU. Fans were shocked when Ironheart revealed a real connection to Iron Man, as Alden Ehrenreich was revealed to be Ezekiel "Zeke" Stane. His father, Obadiah, was the first villain of the entire shared universe, and it seemed fitting that Tony Stark's successor would end up colliding with the son of his OG adversary.

Magic entered the group chat halfway through, and offered yet another connection to previous MCU entries. Cree Summer's Madeline Stanton revealed she actually trained at Kamar-Taj from the Doctor Strange franchise. While some Marvel projects feel like they're forcing these connections to the larger franchise, the new Disney+ series makes it seem much more organic.

Finally there was the long-awaited entrance of Mephisto, who had been rumored to join the MCU since WandaVision. Fans have debated for years about exactly how that villain would show up, but they didn't expect it to happen in Ironheart. One can only imagine how this particular plot twist will reverberate through upcoming Marvel movies and shows.

Ironheart is streaming in its entirety now on Disney+ as part of the 2025 TV premiere list. Fans have questions after the finale, so hopefully the studio will offer some answers sooner rather than later.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine at this point, constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The latter of which saw the arrival of Ironheart, which is executive produced by filmmaker Ryan Coogler. He recently celebrated the box office success of Sinners, and was asked if he's planning on bringing any of those actors into Black Panther 3. Let's break it all down.

Sinners was one of the best horror movies from recent memory, once again showing that Coogler is an outstanding director who defies genre. And since Black Panther 3 is one of the most anticipated (and mysterious) upcoming Marvel movies, there are plenty of moviegoers who want to see actors span both projects a la Michael B. Jordan. ComicBook asked if he'd be bringing the Sinners cast to Wakanda, and he got flustered and smiled before offering:

How delightfully cryptic. While far from a confirmation, this update should please fans who are hoping to see the Sinners cast join the MCU in Black Panther 3. And considering Coogler's penchant for ongoing collaborators like Michael B. Jordan, it doesn't seem totally out of the question. We'll just have to wait and see if anyone from the Juke Joint ends up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sinners was a hit with critics and audiences alike, with Coogler bringing a chilling vampire story to life that also told a very specific story about race and colonialism. Jordan not only lead the cast, but played a set of twins throughout the movie's 137-minute runtime. But the rest of the cast was also impressive, and would no doubt crush it in Wakanda for Black Panther 3.

If I could pick anyone from Sinners to join that MCU property, it would probably be Wunmi Mosaku, who played Annie. She was high key the hero of the movie, helping to keep everyone alive and fighting off the vampires for as long as possible. Mosaku's performance was layered and moving, although she does already have an ongoing MCU role as Hunter B-15. But actors have played multiple roles in the MCU before, such as Eternals' Gemma Chan. And as we know, Hailee Steinfeld is already playing young superhero Kate Bishop. Still, there's plenty of other cast members to make the pivot over to Black Panther.

Basically nothing is known about what Ryan Coogler is cooking up for the third Black Panther film. Denzel Washington let slip that he might have a role, but that's about as far as the intel goes. But after Wakanda Forever's ending, there are plenty of ongoing questions about the fictional country.

It's currently unclear when the next Black Panther movie will arrive, but the first three episodes of Ironheart are streaming now on Disney+.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth of a franchise, one that's showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Those of us who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will know that a few properties stand out as fan favorites, including Ryan Coogler's Black Panther (streaming now with a Disney+ subscription). The fandom is wondering what the acclaimed filmmaker might have up his sleeve for the third movie, with actor Damson Idris currently rumored to be taking on the role of T'Challa from late actor Chadwick Boseman. He keeps getting asked about this, and once again provided a charming response.

What we know about Black Panther 3 is basically nothing, leading fans to fill in the blanks and rumors to fly. Still it's one of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies, and Idris has charmingly addressed rumors of him playing T'Challa before. The subject once again came up during the actor's recent appearance on TODAY, and you can watch him dodge the question in the below video:

Clearly the Snowfall actor has been media trained, and knows how to be interviewed without giving away too much. While Damson Idris admits he would agree to join Black Panther 3 if asked, he neither confirms nor denies being in talks to join the MCU. And the way he could deliver "no-yes" as a non answer is truly something.

Marvel fans have wanted to see Idris join the shared universe for a while now. He was at the top of list for actors who could replace Jonathan Majors as Kang... before the studio abandoned its plans for the character altogether. We'll just have to wait and see whether or not he actually plays the new T'Challa as he's rumored to.

After the ending of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, there are a number of questions about Ryan Coogler's franchise. The titular fictional country was left without a ruler, although it's heavily implied that Winston Duke's M'Baku might be vying for the Throne. The reveal of T'Challa's son also further complicates this question, as he'll likely have his own claim as King. But we haven't heard any news about Wakanda since that acclaimed sequel hit theaters in 2022.

Since T'Challa died in-universe prior to Wakanda Forever, the idea of him being recast is a complicated one. Some fans like that Boseman was honored in this way, while others think the character is too important to retire. With the multiverse currently in play, there is the opportunity for another actor to play the Black Panther as a variant. But only time will tell if this happens, and if Damson Idris is the one to take on the mantle.

Both Black Panther movies are streaming now on Disney+, and the next MCU movie hitting theaters is The Fantastic Four: Fist Steps on July 25th as part of the 2025 movie release list. The next two Avengers movies are coming, and it seems like just about anything could happen.

The 2025 TV schedule has some sterling offerings heading out to audiences in the months to come. One such effort is going to please Black Panther fans, as the upcoming Marvel spinoff series Eyes of Wakanda will show us heroes' adventures as they recover and protect stolen Wakandan technology across eras of the distant past. Oh, and apparently, a major Marvel hero we’ve seen before in live-action may be getting an official MCU reboot.

Tied to this year’s Annecy Animation Festival, Variety had a conversation with the Disney+ series’ creator/showrunner Todd Harris, who dug deeper into the upcoming anthology series than he has before. Set to debut on August 5th, Eyes of Wakanda is set to be a true blast from the past; which apparently has allowed Harris and his crew to work in this surprisingly Rand-y (or not) element:

Now there's a name I haven't heard in years. In all fairness, reading that particular quote made me do a double take. It was only a few years ago that Netflix had its own live-action series focused on Iron Fist; albeit with an incarnation of the Danny Rand variant of the character, played by Finn Jones.

The series was controversial and not as well received by fans as its streaming siblings, one of the reasons being that Iron Fist rarely used his titular powers. Oh, and of course there was the move to cast what should be an Asian hero with a white actor.

Even with those problematic elements, you’d think that maybe those in charge at Marvel Studios would use this Eyes of Wakanda spin-off to somehow bring that continuity back into the fold of the MCU proper. We’ve seen that already happen through the own Disney+ subscription original Daredevil: Born Again, and its recent plot twists.

As the series has now seen the inclusion of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher and Krysten Ritter’s return as Jessica Jones, you'd think they'd want to keep The Defenders together. Maybe Danny Rand was Blipped, and came back without his powers? Somehow, I don't think it's going to be as simple as that sort of comic-friendly re-write.

The words “not the Iron Fist you’d expect” have me believing that Marvel Studios is finally taking the previous Iron Fist backlash to heart and revamping the role. With Eyes of Wakanda taking great care to stay true to the Wakandan culture, and in the light of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Mandarin retcon, we could see the Marvel Multiverse finally setting up an Asian actor to take the role back, which feels like the logical thing to do.

Of course, that’s just me jumping a bit ahead of the game here, as the Multiverse Saga is still moving in ways mysterious to us all. For the time being, we’ll just have to keep waiting for Eyes of Wakanda to show us this new spin on an old classic. So don’t forget that this four-episode series will start airing, only on Disney+, on August 5th.

Few movie studios are quite as secretive as Marvel. The MCU is a major franchise, and the attempts to keep spoilers from leaking are quite significant. This made it more than a little wild when Denzel Washington just came out and said he would be in Black Panther 3, a movie that Marvel had never even confirmed it was making.

It seems certain that Kevin Feige and the higher-ups at Marvel Studios were probably a little annoyed that Denzel came out and said something like that. However, writer/director Ryan Coogler doesn’t mind so much. His relationship with Denzel is such that it seems he just can’t get upset, speaking on 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, Coogler said…

Coogler goes on to say that he knows Denzel well, and he knows the actor’s family as well. As such, the director admits he’s been trying to find a way to work with The Equalizer actor for a long time. Denzel himself has talked about what Black Panther meant to him, so the fact that these two will finally be working together is a big deal. Coogler continues…

At the end of the day, Ryan Coogler says that there’s so much information about the film industry that isn’t true, that he can’t be too upset at Denzel talking about Black Panther 3, because at least in this case, it’s all true. The director admitted…

Ryan Coogler certainly isn’t wrong. There are so many film rumors out there, and so many about Marvel movies specifically, that the majority of them turn out to be false. Filmmakers like James Gunn seem to spend a good chunk of time debunking rumors about their work while making their movies. So, at least when Denzel reveals the truth, there's less follow-up required.

The official list of upcoming Marvel movies is only four films long, with next month’s Fantastic Four, a pair of Avengers movies, and the next Spider-Man film. That only takes us through the end of next year. Where Black Panther 3 will appear on the Marvel schedule is far from clear, but it seems all but certain that it will and Denzel Washington will be in it.

Next year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have another one of its massive crossover events with the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Among other things, this will put directors Joe and Anthony Russo back in charge of several MCU characters who are usually the purview of other creatives. However, Black Panther franchise director Ryan Coogler doesn’t mind, as he works closely with them when his part of the MCU is involved and says they’re really respectful.

In a recent appearance on SiriusXM radio, Ryan Coogler was asked about the appearance of Wakandans in Avengers: Doomsday, as we know from the Doomsday cast announcement that, at the very least, the new Black Panther, Letitia Wright, will appear in the film. While Coogler was able to avoid directly discussing the next Avengers film, he did talk about working with the Russos on other projects where Black Panther appeared. He said…

Black Panther made his debut in Captain America: Civil War, but it was always the plan for the character to get a solo movie. As such, Coogler was brought in to start early work on Black Panther alongside the production of Civil War. Chadwick Boseman’s casting as T’Challa for the Captain America movie was made with Coogler’s support.

Collaboration has to be an important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Numerous writers, directors and actors are working on different projects in the franchise all at once. To make them all fit together, and to make sure one character is consistent from one movie to the next, it’s going to mean relying on the people who know those characters better.

It seems the Russo Brothers are more than happy to ask for Ryan Coogler’s assistance when it comes to getting Black Panther right. They’ve done it before, and while Coogler doesn’t say, it’s more than likely they’ve reached out to him for Doomsday as well.

Coogler’s not the only one who has collaborated with the Russo Brothers to make sure his characters are handled properly. James Gunn has talked about going over music choices with the Russos for the Guardians of the Galaxy’s part of Infinity War.

Of course, if the Russo Brothers are going to be collaborating and consulting with everybody in charge of the various MCU franchises, that’s going to be a lot more people this time around. The MCU is exponentially bigger than it was during Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Still, that work will only make Avengers: Doomsday better.

The bond between a director and an actor can be sacred.

I've already talked about the cinematic relationship between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro (as well as the partnership between Scorsese and DiCaprio). Hell, I've even talked about the partnership between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.

That said, if there's one team that might beat them all, it’s the recent one between Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan. And, with the recent Sinners, the two of them have now collaborated on five films together. Here's why their partnership is already one for the ages.

Ryan Coogler Has Never Directed A Feature Length Film Without Michael B. Jordan

Yes, some of Scorsese's best movies star De Niro, but Scorsese has directed a number of films without his long-time collaborator (like, have you seen After Hours?).

The same goes for Burton and Depp. For those who are familiar with Akira Kurosawa, the famed director made 16 movies with Toshiro Mifune before they stopped working together entirely. But, Kurosawa made several movies without Mifune.

That said, while Coogler hasn't made nearly as many movies as Scorsese, Burton, or Kurosawa (Coogler currently has five), every single one of them either stars Michael B. Jordan, or features him.

Coogler's directorial debut, Fruitvale Station, was about the real-life events that culminated in the death of Oscar Grant, and Jordan played the lead role. Coogler’s second movie, 2015's Creed, continued the Rocky storyline by making Stallone the trainer, while focusing on the progeny of his best friend, Apollo Creed, played by Jordan. It's also one of the greatest Rocky movies of all time.

Coogler’s third film, Black Panther…well, you already know about that. It's one of the biggest movies of all time and featured Jordan as the antagonist, Killmonger. the filmmaker's fourth movie, 2022's Wakanda Forever, brought Jordan back as Killmonger, albeit in a much smaller role, and 2025's Sinners (which we gave a 5-star review), has twice the Michael B. Jordan for the price of one, because he plays two roles. So, yeah. Coogler and Jordan work together really well!

And Each Role Is Completely Different

One thing that’s really remarkable when you come to think about it is that each Jordan performance is completely different in every Coogler film. I mean, it's not strange that each character is different. What is strange is that Coogler has swerved in so many different directions, and yet, Jordan has always been up for the ride.

Case in point, Fruitvale Station. Jordan is no stranger to movies about social justice, but his portrayal of Oscar Grant was honestly Oscar-worthy. He played Grant as somebody who was both fantastically flawed, but also had so much potential.

This is both similar, but also vastly different from his portrayal as Adonis Creed. In this film, Jordan played a tough, but wounded, young man who was searching for his father, only to end up finding himself.

Compare this to Kilmonger, and you almost have a what-if scenario. For example, what if Kilmonger had somebody to guide him like Rocky did at a young age? It led to character work that made Killmonger one of Marvel’s best villains.

Which he returned to in Wakanda Forever, somehow being the same character, but even more sympathetic than the first time around. Lastly, with Sinners, Jordan plays two brothers who both seem to have the same heart, but different minds. It's a role that’s completely different from every other Coogler collaboration, and might just be the most special. Time will still tell on that one, though.

They've Worked On Established Properties, But Also New Projects

It’s often difficult to determine just what kind of director Ryan Coogler actually wants to be. Does he want to be a hired gun, working on established properties, as he did with Black Panther and Creed. Or, does he want to tell his own stories, as he did with the real-life retelling of the last hours of Oscar Grant’s life in Fruitvale Station, or like he did with the horror/crime hybrid, Sinners?

With the X-Files reboot being Coogler’s next major project, it looks like his answer to that question is, why not both?

And, if he does something, then there is always the possibility that he will reteam with Michael B. Jordan. This is why Coogler and Jordan’s partnership is all the more interesting. It’s because there really is no telling what stories they’ll make together.

For example, take Wakanda Forever. When the movie debuted, we had a feeling that Jordan would appear, even though his character died in the first one, but we weren’t quite sure how. But, the moment he did, it elevated the movie tenfold, and made it even more emotional, given Chadwick Boseman’s passing.

Then we have Sinners, which operates so outside the norm of what we currently have in Hollywood that you could argue that Coogler and Jordan are creating a whole new genre. It’s this mixture of established properties and new projects that makes the Coogler/Jordan partnership so spectacular.

They're Also Making Sure To Focus On Black Stories

One thing I absolutely adore about this partnership is that they almost seem to be exclusively focusing on Black stories.

Fruitvale Station is an obvious example, but Creed might not be so obvious, even though I definitely think it’s also a Black story. Adonis Creed is not Rocky Balboa. Not even close. Just as Rocky leaned into his Italian heritage (he wasn’t known as the “Italian Stallion” for nothing), Adonis is definitively Black.

He languished in foster care for several years, until Apollo’s widow, Mary Anne, adopted him. He struggled to fit into his new life, and often felt like there was just something missing until he learned to accept that all he needed was himself. This is a struggle that many Black American men go through, and the story feels like it’s told from a Black perspective (which it is).

The Black Panther movies are also definitively Black. Melding both African and African American experiences together, there’s a sort of unspoken conflict that sometimes exists between both communities that usually doesn’t get displayed in cinematic form (especially for big budget, tentpole movies), and both films are examples of this tacit tension.

Lastly, I’m not going to say much about Sinners just in case you haven’t seen it yet (even though you must), but this might be the Blackest story they've ever made together, and we’re all the better for it.

Their Partnership Doesn't Look Like It's Ending Anytime Soon

What’s Coogler doing next? It looks like the X-Files reboot. Then, possibly Black Panther 3. But, even if neither of those feature Jordan in any capacity, one thing I can say almost certainly is that they’ll find a way to work together again somehow.

Maybe it will be soon, or maybe it will be later, but I don’t see their partnership ending anytime soon, because they work so well together. All of their movies have felt so personal that their relationship, honestly, feels similar to that of Scorsese and De Niro – two people who work fine separately, sure, but put them together, and they create cinematic gold.

Jordan and Coogler just have something special together. I’ve seen several Michael B. Jordan movies (I first saw him on The Wire, and was blown away), but my favorite performances of his are definitely Smoke and Stack in Sinners, Adonis Creed, and Killmonger, in that order.

To think that Sinners would be Jordan’s and Coogler’s last time working together just seems impossible to me, and if that were the case, then I don’t want to watch movies anymore. Not if a partnership this perfect could come to an end.

What do you think? Are you also a fan of Coogler and Jordan’s work together? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

There are many reasons why Black Panther was an important movie. Audiences finally got to see Marvel’s first Black superhero headlining his own movie on the big screen, which was one of Chadwick Boseman’s best performances. However, we can’t ignore that the Marvel flick had one of the most iconic Black movie soundtracks of all time, which Ryan Coogler says the album came to him as a surprise gesture from Kendrick Lamar.

In Ryan Coogler’s interview with Complex Music, he spoke with basketball player LeBron James about how he was a young director taking on a challenging movie like Black Panther (which is streaming on your Disney+ subscription). One nice surprise that came from making the movie was when rapper Kendrick Lamar went above and beyond for his musical contribution. He and his manager, Dave Free, delivered the filmmaker not just one song for the movie but an entire soundtrack:

What an unexpected gesture! It’s clear that the Pulitzer Prize winner was taken with Black Panther’s themes of heritage, identity, and the complexities of power, that he was inspired to create one of the greatest hip-hop soundtracks out there.

You can’t necessarily blame him for initially being terrified to take on the iconic superhero movie, considering the stakes were high to hit the mark of the movie's deep themes of nationalism, identity, and culture. Plus, I can imagine the pressures that came with being the director to take on Marvel's first superhero movie that had a predominantly Black cast. But with what a talented filmmaker Coogler is, I knew he'd be able to make a standout movie that audiences and critics would love.

When you listen to the Black Panther soundtrack, it’s like listeners are invited into the world of Wakanda and T’Challa’s struggles, carrying the weight of a legacy his father carried out. Compared to triumphant tunes that you’d hear in Superman or Batman films, the Black Panther soundtrack made sure to present songs that represented the powerful themes of the movie.

Tracks like “All the Stars” and “Pray For Me” do an excellent job of acknowledging the pressures of expectations and the sacrifices of leadership. The soundtrack even incorporated African sounds to blend in with the setting of Wakanda, like the track “Seasons” that had verses sung in the Zulu language. T’Challah’s inner battles come to life not just with what we see, but what we hear in each carefully crafted song.

Clearly, Kendrick Lamar was very impressed with Ryan Coogler’s final product of Black Panther, and he even wanted to be the next Killmonger for the sequel, despite the antagonist character being killed off. Well, the “Not Like Us” rapper may not have made a physical appearance in the Oscar-nominated movie, but his songs sure played a huge role.

Black Panther’s soundtrack was very well-received with favorable reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. Kendrick Lamar’s soundtrack also won a Grammy for Best Score and another for Best Rap Performance with the song “King’s Dead.” It’s truly amazing what inspiration can do when, after watching footage of a superhero movie, you create an album that serves as an artistic statement that resonates far beyond the cinematic world.

Just when Ryan Coogler thought he was getting one song out of Kendrick Lamar for Black Panther, he was surprised with an entire album. The award-winning rapper and Dave Free perfectly curated a soundtrack that captured the spirit, conflict, and soul of the MCU flick that redefined what a superhero movie can sound like.

A lot of fans will agree that the first Black Panther movie is among the best MCU movies so far. While the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, may not have reached the same heights, it’s one of the more successful films among a string of mediocre box office entries. Thus, a lot of fans were excited to hear Ryan Coogler was working on Black Panther 3, but it’s honestly unclear how excited he is about the movie.

Coogler is riding high right now following the success of Sinners. The movie, starring his frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan, is having an incredible box office run, especially for an original project. Speaking with The Atlantic, while the director says he wants to make another Black Panther movie, it really sounds like he’d rather make more original projects. He said…

Coogler saying he feels a “responsibility” makes it sound like making Black Panther 3 is something he feels he needs to do, though not necessarily something he wants to do. To be sure, if this movie were to be made with a different director behind the camera, a lot of fans would become instantly concerned about just what sort of film they were going to get.

Officially, Black Panther 3 isn’t even a real movie yet. It has yet to be announced as an upcoming Marvel movie. The only reason we know it’s under consideration is that Denzel Washington revealed he had talked to Ryan Coogler about a potential role.

There’s frequently something of a battle within Hollywood between original stories and larger franchises. Many directors specifically stay away from franchises, while others seem to gravitate toward them. Coogler says the directors that he looks up to tend to make larger-scale original projects, and he’s very clear that’s the sort of group he wants to be part of.

That’s not to say it’s impossible to do both. One director who is likely in the class that Coogler is talking about is Christopher Nolan. He does make “original movies on a massive scale.” However, he also made three well-regarded Batman movies in the middle of all that. It is possible to do it all.

Considering the success of Sinners so far, it’s very likely that Ryan Coogler will get his chance to make more original movies. Any studio would love to see the success of a movie like Sinners, especially considering it didn’t cost nearly what a major franchise blockbuster usually costs. If Ryan Coogler truly wants to make Black Panther 3, I hope he does. In the end, as long as he’s making the movies he wants to make, moviegoers will be the winners.

Michael B. Jordan has been collaborating with director Ryan Coogler for over a decade, but their 2025 movie release, Sinners, may be their most emotionally personal project yet. The new horror movie is part Southern gothic, part crime saga, part vampire fable, and has been a box office hit, extending the duo’s near-flawless run from Fruitvale Station to Black Panther. Jordan is now sharing some thoughts about the late Chadwick Boseman and talks about a challenge Ryan threw at him on the set of Sinners that stuck with him.

In a recent interview with Deadline, Jordan opened up about how hard Boseman’s loss hit him. He shared how Coogler caught him off guard with a tough question during production that made him think about the loss of the former T'Challa performer:

According to the Creed actor, he didn’t require further explanation, but the director’s comments changed his perspective on everything. Jordan went on to share an even more emotional connection, one to his family:

The realization hit The Wire veteran hard. Those old black-and-white photos weren’t just faded memories, but windows into real lives full of dreams, love, hustle, and pain. He continued:

Jordan’s performance in Sinners isn’t just physical or emotional, it’s ancestral in a way. And it’s clear that Boseman’s legacy was a guiding force behind his onscreen intensity. If you’ve seen the MCU movies in order, you know that the actor previously shouldered a similar emotional load when portraying Killmonger.

The recent vampire movie has Jordan pushing himself again by taking on the challenge of playing twin characters, each with their unique ways of dealing with trauma, body language, and speech styles. Pulling off both Smoke and Stack was a real technical achievement. Still, it was the emotional impact—channeling Boseman and connecting with his family’s legacy—that made his performance stand out. And that alone is worth the price of a ticket.

Sinners is currently playing in theaters. Check local listings for showtimes. You can also revisit Jordan and Boseman sharing the screen (under Coogler’s direction) in Black Panther, available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther is one of the best Marvel movies, and when it came out in 2018, it was a massive moment in pop culture. Overall, the project was met with acclaim, and to this day, people proudly share their love for it. However, now, while reflecting on this massive point in his career and modern film history, the filmmaker revealed one of his “great regrets” about his time working on it.

Currently, Coogler is promoting his project on the 2025 movie schedule, Sinners. It marks another collaboration with Michael B. Jordan, and like many of their films, Sinners is getting great reviews, proving the power of Coogler’s movies. So, while discussing that and his other successful work with LeBron James for Interview Magazine, he was asked about moments where he realized his work started a “movement,” and the NBA legend asked about Black Panther specifically.

In response, the Creed director revealed he didn’t fully appreciate the moments that came with the making of his first Marvel movie and its success, explaining:

In a way, the filmmaker had points where he acknowledged what he was doing would be big. However, it sounds like he didn’t take it in as much as he would have liked to.

There were a few instances where he realized the enormity of what he was working on, like the creation of The Black Panther soundtrack, which is one of the most iconic Black movie soundtracks of all time. Referencing Kendrick Lamar’s work on the album, Coogler said:

While he had a few instances where he may have realized that Black Panther was bigger than the movie, it seems like the Sinners director didn’t let it sink in as much as he wanted to.

I get where he’s coming from. It had to be an overwhelming task to take on. Plus, he was only 30 when he made this film, and before it, he’d only made two major motion pictures – Fruitvale Station and Creed. While he didn’t need to feel this way, I can see why he said the following while speaking about this regret:

Well, I feel that. I’m sure many of us have faced impostor syndrome. Plus, looking back at various points in my life, I also regret not fully taking them in because I was too busy being stressed out about trying to make something.

Hopefully, Ryan Coogler doesn’t feel that way anymore, and he’s able to fully take in and appreciate his films the way fans do. He makes incredible movies (like Black Panther, which you can watch with a Disney+ subscription), and he deserves to enjoy the process as much as we enjoy watching his work.

So, here’s hoping he can really live in and appreciate the moment while he works on his next projects, including his upcoming Marvel movie, Black Panther 3. In the meantime, you can go see his latest success by catching Sinners in theaters now.

There are so many upcoming Marvel movies on the 2025 movie slate and beyond, sometimes I forget that a third Black Panther flick is coming down the pike. When Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced the world to Toussaint, the young son of T’Challa and Nakia, in the film’s end credits scene, fans immediately began speculating about the meaning behind his name. Is it a cool reference, a hidden Marvel Easter egg, or just a poetic choice? Director Ryan Coogler is setting the record straight, and his explanation might be one of the most thoughtful things to come out of the MCU in a while.

While promoting his new horror movie Sinners, the director took a moment to chat about why he chose that name. In a video posted on Sway’s Universe's official YouTube channel, he dives into how it connects to Haitian history, culture, and the larger story of the African diaspora. He mentioned that the message was never meant to be a mystery. As he explained:

The name "Toussaint" refers to Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the Haitian Revolution who helped free Haiti from French rule. By choosing this name for Wakanda’s king and queen's child, director Ryan Coogler connects all the MCU movies to an important part of Black history. This name symbolizes a relationship between Africa and the Caribbean, royalty and rebellion, and the past and the future.

This choice also shows Nakia’s character growth. She left Wakanda to explore other parts of the African diaspora, making it fitting for her to live in Haiti, a country known for its history of revolution and Black empowerment. Naming her son after a Haitian figure is about more than location; it represents a strong sense of identity.

For fans who saw the name reveal in Wakanda Forever as a subtle tribute or a cool nod, Coogler’s deeper explanation gives it new weight. It’s the kind of storytelling detail that makes rewatching the film with your Disney+ subscription even more meaningful.

In a cinematic universe full of Easter eggs, references, and hints, this moment is something truly special. It doesn't serve to set up the next phase or tease a multiverse twist. Instead, it honors history and recognizes the real-world legacies that continue to shape Black identity today. That is pretty cool.

Ryan Coogler’s latest movie, Sinners, hits theaters on April 18th. Make sure to check out your local listings so you can plan your trip to the cinema.

One of Chadwick Boseman’s best performances has to be playing T’Challa in the MCU movies (which are streaming on your Disney+ subscription). The late actor not only brought the first Black superhero in mainstream comics to life, but he did so with a commanding presence and deep humanity. If you want to know just how far Boseman got into his superhero role, director Ryan Coogler spoke about Marvel execs “freaking out” over the actor’s impressive T’Challa accent.

Ever since Black Panther made his debut in Captain America: Civil War, he wowed audiences with his fierce combat skills and dedication to serving Wakanda. Chadwick Boseman was practically born to play T’Challa. A throwback to the Golden Globe winner training to fight as Black Panther looked like a rhythmic dance that flowed so naturally in him. Coogler spoke on an episode of The Breakfast Club (via Variety) about how the dedicated Boseman had Marvel execs “freaking out” for keeping his T’Challa accent the whole shoot:

He was quite the method actor! I can understand wanting to keep a fake accent throughout filming. As Chadwick Boseman was a South Carolina native, speaking the whole time on set in an African accent must have been a great way to ensure there were no slips of his native American accent. After all, Bryce Dallas Howard felt like that trick was effective in maintaining her fake British accent in Rocketman. If your voice is completely different from the character you’re playing, keeping the foreign dialect absolutely can be the best method to deliver a believable performance.

Chadwick Boseman’s Wakandan accent didn’t just appear out of thin air. The Get On Up actor perfected his T’Challa dialect by using the same accent coach he used for Message from the King, where he played a South African.

Once Boseman’s T’Challa accent shone through, you better believe he made sure to fight to use his Wakanda accent on screen. The higher-ups in the MCU didn’t know if Boseman was better off using his American accent or even a British accent that audiences would better recognize. However, the Oscar nominee stuck to his guns and didn’t want an “important factor” of his character to be stripped away. Therefore, T’Challa’s Wakandan accent was brought out in the actor, which reflected the heroic African king’s unique heritage and the pride of the Wakanda people.

Marvel execs “freaking out” over Chadwick Boseman’s Wakandan accent being used throughout shooting shows they must have had no idea what a method actor they hired. But the late MCU star's deep dedication to T’Challa came in full swing to not only throw a punch like a Wakandan warrior, but speak like one as well.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is consistently expanding, thanks to projects arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But fans who have spent years watching the Marvel moves in order know certain franchises rise to the top as fan favorites. Chief among them is Black Panther, and director Ryan Coogler recently reflected on Chadwick Boseman's legacy, and revealed which member of the Black Panther cast was the most affected by the late actor's passing.

Chadwick Boseman's death in 2020 shocked both his fans and those who knew and worked with the talented actor. Coogler reworked Wakanda Forever to honor Boseman, and during an appearance on The Breakfast Club, the acclaimed filmmaker revealed which Black Panther star struggled the most with Boseman's passing. He shared:

While plenty of the Black Panther cast has expressed their love and sense of mourning over Boseman (see Lupita Nyong'o's sweet tribute), Coogler's recollection is that his Creed collaborator was hit hard by his co-star's sudden death. It seems like they formed a strong bond bringing T'Challa and Killmonger's stories to life in the 2018 original film.

In that same conversation, Ryan Coogler explained the way that Chadwick Boseman stood out from he and Michael. B. Jordan. He offered:

Boseman was universally loved by those who knew him, as well as young MCU fans who saw him as a real-life hero. It's still upsetting that he won't appear in upcoming Marvel movies, although his legacy continued to be felt in the shared universe. Coogler shared more about what it was like working with the Marshall actor, saying:

What a legend. Despite the years that have passed since his passing, it sounds like fans and friends alike are still in the process of grieving what Boseman left behind. And it's because of this reason that fans are still debating if T'Challa should be recast in the MCU.

The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Thunderbolts* on May 2nd as part of the 2025 movie release list. We'll have to wait for news about the future of Black Panther.

Even those who enjoy fun comic book movies featuring a villain you love to hate would probably agree that the absolute best superhero movies have a bad guy who makes you think twice. While you may not agree with their illegal or simply inhumane plans, you cannot help but admit that their actions do have some logical justification.

Take a look at the best villains from the Marvel movies, the DC movies, and even some great comic book flicks associated with neither, whom we could have sided with if they were not so mean.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's first "big bad," Thanos (Josh Brolin), emerged as the central antagonist of Avengers: Infinity War, in which he aspires to collect every last Infinity Stone to save Earth from human destruction and create balance in the entire universe... but with genocide. Comic book fans agree that the mad Titan's motivation in the 2018 blockbuster is an improvement on the original source material from the early '90s, in which he erased half the universe to appease his crush, Death itself.

The Riddler (The Batman)

Similar to Jim Carrey's iteration of The Riddler from Batman Forever, Paul Dano's version from 2022's The Batman seeks revenge against Bruce Wayne but also believes he is in cahoots with Robert Pattinson's vigilante. The brainteaser enthusiast, who was also orphaned but not treated with the same care as young Wayne, shares the Dark Knight's passion for ridding Gotham of corruption but does not honor his no-killing rule.

Magneto (The X-Men Movies)

Professor Charles Xavier and Erik "Magneto" Lehnsherr of the X-Men comics have long been compared to Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X for the way they share a common goal of fighting mutant oppression, but wildly different ideas of how to achieve it. The metalbending criminal (played by Sir Ian McKellan and as a younger man by Michael Fassbender in the X-Men movies) has no interest in peace between humans and mutants, but wishes to see his people become the dominant race.

Syndrome (The Incredibles)

In one of the best Pixar movies, 2004's The Incredibles, Syndrome (Jason Lee) is driven to murder surviving retired superheroes (and become one himself) after being let down as a child by his personal hero, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson). The villain from the 2018 sequel, Evelyn "Screenslaver" Deavor (Catherine Keener), wants to prevent supers from becoming legal for a similar reason.

Baron Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

In 2016's Captain America: Civil War, the Avengers are already on the verge of collapse when the Sokovia Accords are introduced, but making things worse by framing Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) for murder is Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl). It is eventually revealed that he intended to tear the heroes apart as a way to avenge the death of his wife and child, which they inadvertently caused during the violent finale of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

In the cold open for 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian "Vulture" Toomes (Michael Keaton) loses his job cleaning up the aftermath of the battle against the Chitauri in 2012's The Avengers. To continue supporting his family, he decides to use that extraterrestrial technology to build dangerous weapons and sell them to criminals.

Catwoman (Batman Returns)

It has never seemed completely appropriate to think of Selina Kyle as a villain since her thieving exploits are typically well-intentioned. Yet, if there is one iteration of Catwoman who does deserve it, it is Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal from 1992's Batman Returns. Even then, who could blame her for going after Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) for attempting to kill her and being the worst boss in the world?

Loki (Thor)

After discovering that he has been lied to about his true identity for his entire childhood while letting his older brother (played by Chris Hemsworth) have all the glory, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) decides to take all the glory for himself in 2011's Thor. He would later try to take over the world in The Avengers and assumed rule over Asgard by posing as his father in Thor: The Dark World, but the God of Mischief's redemption arc later reached a worthy conclusion on his self-titled Disney+ TV show.

Ozymandias (Watchmen)

Sometimes, it seems like the only way to effectively create world peace would be to give the human race one common enemy – a philosophy shared by wealthy former vigilante Adrian Veidt in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal graphic novel, Watchmen. In Zach Snyder's 2009 adaptation, the character, otherwise known as Ozymandias and portrayed by Matthew Goode, attempts to unite his broken world by painting Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) as its common enemy and creating a cataclysmic explosion.

Killmonger (Black Panther)

After Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) violently usurps the Wakandan throne in 2018's Black Panther, the revived T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is forced to save his nation by finishing his battle with him. However, the king could not help but agree with his long-lost cousin that Wakanda's resources would be of great use to help people suffering from oppression in the rest of the world, especially in the United States.

Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

In Christopher Nolan's acclaimed live-action Batman movie, The Dark Knight, Gotham City District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) becomes living proof of his belief that "you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself the villain" after suffering the loss of his girlfriend, his career, and half of his face. Then again, after an experience like that, anyone might be susceptible to The Joker's (Heath Ledger) advice to become an agent of chaos like him.

Sandman (Spider-Man 3)

Easily one of the best Spider-Man movie villains, let alone one of the most sympathetic, is Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who becomes known as Sandman after he gains the ability to turn into a coarse substance. Even before that accident, he was forced to turn to crime to support his ailing daughter – a discovery that inspires Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) to forgive him for killing his uncle in 2007's Spider-Man 3.

Prince Nuada (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

In the world of Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy movies, mythical creatures honor an ancient agreement to live in hiding underground while humanity rules on the surface... at least before the eponymous BPRD agent (Ron Perlman) reveals himself to the public in the 2008 sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army. This inspires the elvish Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) to rescue his oppressed people by unleashing a mechanical army to wipe out the human race.

Orm (Aquaman)

When he is crowned king of Atlantis, Orm Marius, otherwise known as "Ocean Master" (Patrick Wilson), aspires to save the Earth's marine life from pollution, which is undeniably an admirable goal. Of course, his method of choice is human extinction, which is why his half-human brother, Arthur "Aquaman" Curry, is enlisted to help stop him in director James Wan's 2018 DC movie.

Scarlet Witch (Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness)

At the end of the Emmy-winning WandaVision, Wanda "Scarlet Witch" Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) is forced to let go of the sitcom-inspired fantasy life she has created for herself, which includes her two imaginary sons, Billy and Tommy. In 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she discovers they do exist in alternate timelines and strives to be reunited with them by attempting to take America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez, who can travel the Marvel Multiverse) as a prisoner.

Mr Freeze (Batman & Robin)

One of the most complex villains in Batman's rogues gallery is Dr. Victor Fries, otherwise known as Mr. Freeze, who turns to crime in hopes of developing a cure for his ailing wife, whom he puts under a cryogenic slumber with the same technology that accidentally made him resistant to temperatures above freezing. This concept is not lost on 1997's Batman & Robin, even if Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal is bogged down by egregious puns and an incomprehensible need for diamonds to power his freezing suit.

Xu Wenwu (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

When "The Mandarin" was first introduced in the MCU in Iron Man 3, he was portrayed by Ben Kingsley as a heartless, unmerciful terrorist... until it was revealed he was just an actor named Trevor Slattery. The real Mandarin, Xu Wenwu (portrayed by Tony Leung in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), is an ancient warrior who is driven by a desire to protect his family and ensure their legacy, even by violent means.

Zod (Man Of Steel)

If you were among the last of your severely endangered race, would you not want to do whatever you could to preserve your people? That is the gist of what Zod (Michael Shannon) wants to do in 2013's Man of Steel, but since his plans also involve violently taking over the Earth, fellow Kryptonian Superman (Henry Cavill) is forced to defeat him.

Lizard (The Amazing Spider-Man)

In 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man, all Dr. Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifans) wants to do is find a way to regrow his amputated right arm. He did not expect that the experimental regrowth serum he derived from lizard DNA would cause him to transform into a half-man, half-reptile hybrid.

Ghost (Ant-Man And The Wasp)

In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Hannah John-Kamen stars as Ava Starr, who gained the ability to become intangible after suffering the same accident involving quantum energy that killed her parents. She then started dying of a lack of quantum energy, forcing her to attempt stealing Hank Pym's (Michael Douglas) Quantum Tunnel so she could absorb what she needed from it, which would have killed Jane Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Gorr The God-Butcher (Thor: Love And Thunder)

It is very unfortunate that, after the death of his daughter, Gorr (Christian Bale) asked for help from a group of celestials who turned out to be anything but godly, causing a voracious hate for said beings to grow within him. Unfortunately, he fails to realize that, in the MCU, there do exist gods who are worthy of praise, such as Chris Hemsworth's eponymous Asgardian in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder, who seeks to put a stop to his extermination of beings like him.

Silver Samurai (The Wolverine)

Hugh Jackman's Logan sees his immortality as a curse. Thus, when a Japanese man named Ichirō Yashida (Haruhiko Yamanouchi), whose life the mutant once saved during World War II, offers him the chance to cure his immortality. Of course, the catch is that he wants to have eternal life himself, but that is easy to understand from the perspective of a cancer patient like him.

Bolivar Trask (X-Men: Days Of Future Past)

In one of Marvel's first time travel movies, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Peter Dinklage plays essentially the polar opposite of Magneto, Bolivar Trask – a Vietnam War opposer with a goal of protecting the human race. Unfortunately, his plan is to construct an army of robots programmed to hunt mutants that, unbeknownst to him, are destined to bring forth a dystopian future.

Black Manta (Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom)

In the first Aquaman movie, Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) leaves a pirate named Jessie Kane (Michael Beach) to die as punishment for murdering innocent people. This drove his son, David Kane (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), down a vengeful path that would continue in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, in which his alter ego, Black Manta, becomes the main antagonist.

Arishem (Eternals)

In Eternals, Arishem the Judge emerges with the intent of protecting the universe and creating new life by birthing a new Celestial, which would allow for the creation of trillions of new beings and the formation of countless planets. Of course, his plan runs the risk of killing millions of humans, which is what forces the eponymous group of immortal heroes to come out of retirement.

Starro (The Suicide Squad)

In James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, the latest iteration of Task Force X discovers that "Project Starfish" is a giant alien shaped like said aquatic animal, which releases smaller creatures that attach to human faces, creating a connected hive mind. It is through this that the crew of anti-heroes learn that "Starro," as it is really called, never wanted to be brought to Earth and live a perfectly content life in space before it was snatched away and reluctantly turned into a weapon.

Namor (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

The long-awaited MCU induction of Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) occurred in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, in which Shuri (Letitia Wright) learns that the aquatic being wants nothing more than to protect his underwater civilization, Tal'Kona, and its vibranium resources. However, she also learns that he wants to unite with Wakanda to be a force against the rest of the world, which is not something the late T'Challa's sister is willing to put up with.

Kingpin (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)

Most iterations of Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk depict the entrepreneur and businessman as nothing but a ruthless, corrupt crook, but 2018's acclaimed Multiverse movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, shows a different side of the character. Voiced by Liev Schreiber, Fisk is determined to be reunited with his late wife and child, but with a device used for interdimensional travel that comes with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Yokai (Big Hero 6)

Robert Callaghan (James Cromwell) was a renowned scientist hoping to use his skills to improve the world before an accident caused his pilot daughter, Abigail (Shiyoon Kim), to go missing while testing experimental teleportation technology. This drove Callaghan to adopt the alter ego Yokai and become the main antagonist of Disney's Big Hero 6.

Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home)

Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) first appeared in 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home, appearing to be a heroic interdimensional traveler, until it is revealed that the disasters he helped stop were elaborate illusions of his design. His plan all along was to coerce Peter Parker (Tom Holland) into giving him AI-equipped glasses made by the late Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who was actually his former boss. However, I can understand wanting to get back at a former employer who took credit for your inventions.

Sebastian Shaw (X-Men: First Class)

Before Magneto became dead set on making mutants Earth's dominant species, the top purveyor of that movement was Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) in 2011's X-Men: First Class. I can admire someone whose main intention is solving the issue with humanity's inherent flaws, but if the method does not involve peace, you are a bad guy in my book.

Poison Ivy (Batman & Robin)

No matter what iteration of Poison Ivy you refer to, the Gotham City criminal's essential goal is to protect the environment, even if that means making humanity suffer. Academy Award nominee Uma Thurman gives one of the more uproarious portrayals of the ecoterrorist in Batman & Robin.

Normally, when Marvel announces casting, there’s a lot of pomp and circumstance – as that Doomsday 5.5 hour live stream illustrated – and it’s very official. However, late last year, Denzel Washington made headlines for casually dropping that he might be in Black Panther 3. Now, after he broke the internet with that statement, it’s unclear what exactly is going on, but Ryan Coogler’s comments about it make the picture a bit clearer.

When asked about the discussion circulating about Washington being in the film on Nightcap, the director responded with a simple “yep.” Then, he elaborated on his hope to work with the legendary actor, implying that Black Panther 3 could very well be the movie where this collaboration finally happens:

While that’s not technically a confirmation, it does make me think there’s a very big chance Denzel Washington will make his MCU debut in Coogler’s upcoming Marvel movie. Clearly, they both want to work together, and it seems like as long as all the details work out and all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed, we’ll see the Oscar winner in Black Panther 3.

That point was also made clear when Washington clarified his Black Panther comment by saying that he doesn’t really know what the Creed director is cooking up for him. He explained that the director asked if he’d be interested, and he responded by telling him, “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

As all these statements clearly point out, Coogler and Washington really want to work together, and this Marvel movie seems like a great opportunity for them to do just that.

So, it would seem these two are heading down the road of both working on Black Panther 3, and I can’t help but wonder who Denzel Washington could play. However, no matter what happens, I’m positive his role in the MCU will be iconic.

Now, as we wait for more updates about Black Panther 3 and the Training Day star’s involvement in it, you can check out Coogler’s latest collaboration with Michael B. Jordan when Sinners makes its 2025 movie schedule debut on April 18. Meanwhile, if you happen to be in New York, you can see Washington in the Broadway production of Othello.

Or, if you simply want to go back and watch the first two Black Panther films while fantasizing about how these two legends could work together on the third one, you can do it with a Disney+ subscription.

It’s been almost five years since Chadwick Boseman died, however, his legacy lives on. Recently, in fact, some of his Black Panther co-stars, including Michael B. Jordan, reflected on their relationships with the actor. For the Creed star specifically, he got emotional while discussing his late friend and opened up about one thing that still “weighs on” him years after his death.

Jordan sat down to chat about Black Panther and Boseman specifically for the documentary Number One on the Call Sheet - which just premiered on the 2025 TV schedule and is available to stream with an Apple TV+ subscription. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, and many others spoke about the cultural impact of the Ryan Coogler movie they were part of and reflected on the death of their co-star. The Killmonger actor specifically got emotional about the topic, saying:

The actor didn’t finish his thought, and he visibly got emotional while discussing this topic. Michael B. Jordan has always been open about his relationship with Boseman, like a lot of the Black Panther cast has been, and it’s always emotional to see them get choked up about this tragic loss.

As Daniel Kaluuya said later, Boseman was a brilliant leading man who many looked up to and still do. The Nope star also explained that his co-star “helped people” and is “still helping people.” His comments ended with him noting that “it’s on us to keep that going.” And thinking about all that makes me emotional, so I can only imagine how those who knew the actor personally feel about all this.

Meanwhile, Kevin Hart said that we lost the actor far too soon to a battle with colon cancer that no one knew he was going through:

The comedian’s comments ended with him saying “too soon,” noting that the 42 star was taken from us way too early.

To this day, fans pay tribute to the T’Challa actor in various ways. Black Panther is still considered one of the best Marvel movies. Plus, his legacy lives on strong, as folks rewatch Boseman’s best movies and actors like Jordan reflect on their time working with him.

While Chadwick Boseman has been gone for a while now, it’s still hard to think about the person and talent we lost. However, thankfully, Boseman’s best performances live on in films like Black Panther (you can see him, Jordan and Kaluuya in it with a Disney+ subscription), 21 Bridges, Da 5 Bloods and more. Plus, to get more insight into his life and impact on the film industry and culture as a whole, you can see Jordan and co. candidly open up about him in Number One on the Call Sheet.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to projects arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. All eyes are on the upcoming Marvel movies, but a number of TV shows have also been announced before languishing in development hell. Fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that Black Panther is one of the most popular IPs in the franchise, although I feel like we've been getting nothing but bad news about the project as of late.

When fans rank the Marvel movies, usually Ryan Coogler's Black Panther movies are high up there. For this reason, it was thrilling when it was revealed that Danai Gurira's Okoye was going to get a TV spinoff. But Marvel exec Brad Winderbaum recently spoke to Pay or Wait the MCU, revealing that the beloved Dora Milaje won't be getting a TV series after all. As he put it:

Talk about a bummer. Danai Gurira has given outstanding performances as Okoye so far, in both of the Black Panther movies as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. She seemed like a great choice to get a spinoff, but it appears that the character's story will actually continue on the big screen adventure. Although Winderbaum was careful not to reveal exactly when.

With Okoye's spinoff seemingly scrapped, fans are going to be wondering when she might appear again. Perhaps the most logical choice would be the MCU's next big crossover events: Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Alas, we'll have to patiently wait for more information from the studio.

News about the Okoye spinoff being dropped comes after some disappointing news about Black Panther 3's development. Because while Denzel Washington is expected to have a role, there hasn't been many more updates about the Marvel threequel. Earlier in February, Nate Moore confirmed that creative convos with Ryan Coogler haven't even begun, as the filmmaker has been busy with other projects.

As such, the third Black Panther doesn't have an expected release date, especially not in the 2025 movie release list. There really hasn't been anything but disappointing news to come out of the franchise, despite Black Panther's wild popularity amongst the fandom. Could the franchise be in trouble? Only time will tell, but it certainly seems like the studio is being more selective regarding its TV content. Hopefully Coogler and company will get to work on Black Panther 3 soon, and we might find out who Denzel Washington will end up playing in the MCU.

There’s so much happening in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the moment, it’s easy to forget a project or two that has been mentioned on the slate of upcoming Marvel movies. Naturally, fans are hyped for the three films that are due to drop in theaters in 2025, starting this weekend with Anthony Mackie’s Captain America: Brave New World. And a lot of the story seems to be building to Avengers: Doomsday, which brings Robert Downey Jr. back to the MCU. Beyond that, though, there have been rumors and rumblings about Black Panther 3, a movie that seemingly will include Denzel Washington! Thanks, Denzel. What we don’t know, however, is what Black Panther 3 will do about T’Challa, so I asked producer Nate Moore.

Nate Moore has been around Marvel Studios since its early days, and climbed the ranks to work as a producer on Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Black Panther, and Eternals. Moore has since announced that he will be leaving Marvel soon to begin pursuing his own opportunities. But before he exits, he will be producing Black Panthers 3, one of his final projects in the MCU. During a press day for the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World, CinemaBlend asked Moore if he thought that MCU fans were ready to see a new actor in the role of T’Challa… either as a re-cast, or as a Multiverse version of the Wakandan hero. And Moore was thoughtfully candid when he told us:

The Black Panther franchise received an emotional blow when leading man Chadwick Boseman died following a private battle with colon cancer. The actor’s health was written into the character’s journey for the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which saw Letitia Wright’s Shuri taking over the mantle after she failed to generate a cure for her brother. By the end of that movie, though, Marvel had introduced a son for T’Challa and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), and fans wondered if that was how Marvel planned to bring the Black Panther into a new age.

If Marvel Studios wanted to wait a little longer before this young boy could grow into the mantle, then they could go the route that they have gone with other versions of heroes such as Reed Richards, Wolverine, Johnny Storm, Spider-Man, and more. They could cast an actor to play a multiverse version of T’Challa, and rely on that hero for Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars. Then, cast an actor to play Prince T’Challa in a future Black Panther trilogy. The cards are in Marvel’s deck now.

No matter what they decide, I’m encouraged to hear from Nate Moore directly how much he and Ryan Coogler are considering the implications of their decisions. They know that fans are incredibly passionate about T’Challa as a character, and Chadwick Boseman’s legacy needs to be treated respectfully by any move Marvel makes moving forward. Let’s see if Captain America: Brave New World includes any clues as to the direction of Wakanda, and keep talking about this as the year rolls along.

While Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o isn’t on deck to appear on the 2025 movie schedule, she’s naturally a point of discussion thanks to all of the rumors surrounding Black Panther 3. Writer/director Ryan Coogler’s eventual return to the MCU is of particular interest to the world after Denzel Washington claimed his Marvel debut would be in that very picture. So someone asking The Wild Robot star about her thoughts was something that anyone could have called.

However, the answer that Ms. Nyong’o gave was one that we might all be able to take a lesson from. As she spoke with EW’s in-house podcast The Awardist, the actor who plays Wakandan spy Nakia was approached on two different fronts to discuss what’s going on with the upcoming Marvel movie in development. You can read below what Lupita Nyong’o had to share, and quite frankly, it’s refreshing:

I love to speculate as much as anyone else about what the future holds for some of my favorite franchises. The next Black Panther is a unique opportunity for such thoughts, as the rumored recasting of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa brings up a lot of possibilities for what could come next. While landing the fellow Academy Award winner and Gladiator II scene stealer would be a casting coup, in whatever role is being considered, Denzel Washington isn't exactly locked into this gig just yet.

Meanwhile, as Ms. Nyong’o said in this piece of her response to the matter, there’s a possibility that she might not even be in the next chapter. Which makes sense as Wakanda Forever’s ending saw Nakia revealing she had a secret child with the late Wakandan king. As an actor, why would you want to even imagine a movie that you may or may not be a part of?

We should also consider the emotional weight of this scenario, as Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing is still a subject that’s fraught with bittersweet memories. I’d like to think that applies to the part of this response, in which Lupita Nyong’o addresses that potential recasting head on:

There’s tons of excitement surrounding the potential that Black Panther 3 would bring to the world. But sadly, we don’t know much about it beyond whatever clues may be lying in the past, waiting for those with a Disney+ subscription to hunt them down. So really, we all have two options: either speculate a ridiculous amount and get our hopes up, or wait it out and take things easy.

There’s no bad answers here, but I really appreciate that Lupita Nyong’o has chosen the latter option. Even in something as simple as working on or being a fan of a property such as this, it’s important to look after your own mind, and be open to whatever actually happens.

Thankfully, for Marvel fans, there are plenty of new thrills coming down the line, such as February 14th’s release of Captain America: Brave New World. And if the rumors surrounding that film’s plot are any indication, there’ll be plenty to chew over in the aftermath of that picture.

Did you remember that Sterling K. Brown has appeared in the MCU? The actor had a minor role in Black Panther, the 18th of the Marvel movies in order, as N’Jobu, the father of Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger. Seven years have passed since Black Panther’s release, and the This is Us star is looking to get back into the superhero franchise. But how would that be accomplished given that, well, N’Jobu was killed off?

Brown, whom those with a Hulu subscription can currently see in the political thriller TV series Paradise, shared his desire to return to the MCU in an interview with Variety, saying:

A lot has happened with Sterling K. Brown since Black Panther came out. His time as Randall Pearson came to an end when This is Us wrapped up after six seasons, and he’s taken part in movies and TV shows like Frozen II, American Fiction, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Solar Opposites and Invincible. He’s also set to star opposite Henry Cavill in the upcoming live-action Voltron movie. Brown’s profile is bigger than ever, and considering he didn’t get that much screen time in Black Panther, I don’t blame him for wanting to get that MCU “reset.”

But as mentioned earlier, not only is N’Jobu dead, he’s been dead since the early ‘90s. The character met his end when King T’Chaka, his older brother, fatally injured him using his Black Panther claws when N’Jobu tried to shoot him. Now, N’Jobu did reappear in Black Panther’s present day storyline when Killmonger saw his father in the Ancestral Plane after ingesting the Heart-Shaped Herb. However, with Killmonger also dead, the chances of seeing N’Jobu in Black Panther 3 or any of the upcoming Marvel movies is unlikely.

So if Sterling K. Brown wants to return to the MCU, it’ll need to be as a different character. Fortunately, there are a handful of examples of actors playing two different roles in the MCU, including Gemma Chan as Minn-Erva and Sersi, Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton and Lylla, and Michelle Yeoh as Aleta Ogord and Ying Nan. Even Robert Downey Jr., who helped anchor this franchise as Tony Stark/Iron Man for 11 years, is getting ready to play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Granted, it’s speculated that he’ll end up being a Tony variant, but still, it counts!

I’ll join Sterling K. Brown in asking Kevin Feige and the rest of the Marvel Studios brass to consider him for a new role. It’d be great to see him leave an even bigger stamp on the MCU, so if that happens, we here at CinemaBlend will let you know about it.

Ryan Coogler has become synonymous with the Black Panther movies since the director helmed both the landmark Best Picture nominee and its 2022 sequel. Yet, this year, he has one of the highly-anticipated upcoming horror movies on the way. I'm talking about Sinners, which will be released this spring. Just recently, the visionary filmmaker has contrasted the experiences of making this new vampire movie and bringing Wakanda to life.

When the Judas and the Black Messiah producer debuted the new Sinners trailer this week, the filmmaker contrasted this new flick with the many years he previously spent working on the Black Panther movies. Per ComicBook.com, Ryan Coogler called himself “the luckiest guy in the business” when it comes to the casts he’s had the chance to work with. As he continued:

As far as its cast goes, the horror film is led Michael B. Jordan, who's teaming up with Ryan Coogler for the fifth time. Coogler and Jordan have been making movies since the writer/director made his debut feature, 2013’s Fruitvale Station, and they’ve been inseparable ever since, with collaborations on Creed, the Black Panther movies (which remain some of the best Marvel movies) and now, Sinners. Interestingly, this time around, Jordan will be playing two roles, as twin brothers Smoke and Stack.

It's great to hear the Oakland native praise his cast and refer to working with them as “more exciting” than his Marvel films, because this movie isn’t based on “any pre-existing material." With that, he noticed the cast really “took ownership of their characters,” which was really exciting for the filmmaker. Don't get me wrong, the BP movies are great, but I can understand how working on something totally original with a talented cast would be slightly more enticing.

It's wild to think that this is the first time in Coogler’s career that he’s had the chance to do this. Fruitvale Station was based on true events, and Creed is a spinoff of the Rocky movies. And, of course, Black Panther is adapted from comic books. Ryan Coogler’s words about how “amazing” it was to work on his latest film is certainly exciting, considering what he’s already accomplished with adapted material. So what can we expect from his latest flick. Check out the trailer below:

When CinemaBlend spoke to Ryan Coogler about his influences for Sinners, the filmmaker got us excited by name-dropping the Coen Brothers, Robert Rodriguez and John Carpenter. Sounds like the period piece will have a lot of personality along while also from some great horror movies of the past. You can look forward to seeing this fresh and exciting release when it opens in theaters on April 18.

There’s plenty of buzz surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe right now, and that’s not just in regard to the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. As of late, it’s been rumored that Marvel Studios is looking to recast Black Panther’s T’Challa several years after the death of OG actor Chadwick Boseman in 2020. That hasn’t been confirmed or denied by the studio, as of this writing, but a few names have been linked to the role. Of those stars is Damson Idris, who just responded to the rumors with a funny message.

Like a number of celebrities, Damson Idris stays tuned in to what’s going on in the world of entertainment using social media. The Snowfall actor recently caught wind of the claims that he’d take on the role of Wakanda’s king and warrior. He took to X to repost a message about it, and the cheeky British actor’s response certainly got a chuckle or two out of me:

Unless the Swarm alum is just playing coy and trying to misdirect fans, it seems likely that he hasn’t truly been in the mix for such a major role within the MCU. If he was, it’s likely that he wouldn’t actually say anything at all and would instead opt to remain mum. Disney’s superhero-centric entertainment company is, however, very stringent when it comes to actors discussing details before anything is officially announced. So I don’t know about any of you, but I’m definitely taking the leading man’s comments as a joke and nothing more.

It’s not wild to think that Marvel Studios would be interested in an actor like Damson Idris, though. He truly broke through with his role as Franklin Saint on Snowfall, and the Commuter alum has steadily been racking up major acting credits. He’s also set to have a major role in one of the biggest films on the 2025 movie schedule – F1. Joseph Kosinski’s Formula 1 racing drama sees Idris rub shoulders with Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem and other major stars. Idris is certainly on the rise and, as a fan, I love to see it.

When it comes to the chatter involving the late T’Challa, it’s rumored that a new version of the hero will debut in the upcoming Marvel movies Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. And, from there, that character would serve as the lead in the upcoming third Black Panther film, which will seemingly be overseen by director Ryan Coogler again. There are still a number of questions regarding this claim, including how T’Challa’s son, Toussaint (who’s actually named after his dad) may play into all of this.

Every bit of that information should be taken with a massive grain of salt at this point but, since the MCU is in the middle of the Multiverse Saga, it is possible that a variant of the beloved T’Challa could show up at some point. However, for right now, it would just seem that we shouldn’t expect Damson Idris to be the one wearing the costume should all that come to pass. In the meantime, I’ll just be sitting here manifesting that Daniel Day-Lewis film and Eddie Murphy biopic for him.

Follow Black Panther’s journey by streaming the Marvel movies in order with a Disney+ subscription. Also, check out Damson Idris when F1 opens in U.S. theaters on June 27.