Wakanda Forever Director Wants To Return For Black Panther 3

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director wants to be a part of Black Panther 3. The Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel explored the aftermath of the death of King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the warrior who bore the mantle of the Black Panther. With Wakanda exposed to the world, the nation needed to overcome the death of their king, while also contending with the aggressive King Namor of Talokan (Tenoch Huerta). Still grieving her brother, Shuri (Letitia Wright) had to face off against Namor even after an attack by Talokan led to the loss of her mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and many of the Wakandan people.

Director Ryan Coogler, who also directed the original Black Panther and served as an additional screenwriter for the franchise, was forced to completely rewrite the original plot of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever after the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman. Yet, while the entire production was wrought with grief over Boseman's death, Coogler stuck with the project and wants to be involved in even more Black Panther movies. In an interview with The New York Times, Coogler made it clear that he isn't done with the franchise and would love to be involved for as long as he possibly can. Check out his quote below:

I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to work on these movies, bro. When I got asked to do the first one, it was like a moving train. I thank God every day that I was able to jump on it and meet these people, these actors, and to meet Chadwick during some of the last years of his life. I’ll do it as long as folks will have me. But I think it’s bigger than just me or Joe. Between the first and second movie, we made $2 billion at the box office, which is what matters the most to corporations. So I hope that it continues, man. I hope people are still making movies about Wakanda long after we’re gone.

What Could A Black Panther 3 Look Like?

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa looking down superimposed with Letitia Wright as Shuri in Black Panther suit

If Coogler does return for a Black Panther 3, there will be several places to take the story. While the threequel has not yet been confirmed, it isn't likely that the MCU would end the franchise after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever set a 2022 box office record, being the only film of the year to hold the No. 1 spot for four consecutive weeks. With a gross of over $750 million, the Black Panther movies are a proven commodity, though the question remains what a follow-up would look like. The Marvel slate for Phase Six is not fully fleshed out, meaning that a Black Panther 3 could be slotted within Phase Six of the MCU. If so, it will come at the same time as Kang's rise to prominence within the multiverse, which could be motivation for Wakanda to join the rest of the world in the fight against Kang.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever revealed the MCU's future in many ways, and a Black Panther 3 could pursue any of them. Since the sequel left Namor still seeking out a war against the surface world and centered around the United Nations member states seeking out Vibranium, Black Panther 3 could involve that conflict, though should the world again attack Wakanda, Shuri will have to protect Wakanda alongside King Namor. The film could also explore the life of King T'Challa's son, the surprise character who appeared at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and is sure to play an important role as the heir to the Wakandan throne.

What Is Ryan Coogler Working On Next?

Even without the official announcement of Black Panther 3, Ryan Coogler is going to be busy for the next few years. He is serving as the executive producer for the upcoming Disney+ MCU show Ironheart, the producer of an untitled Disney+ Wakanda show, he is producing Creed III, for which he also helped develop its story, as well as the projects Bitter Root, Underrated, Wrong Answer, and Scenes For Minors. Either way, Ironheart and the Wakanda TV show will see him returning to the MCU, which will give him the opportunity to continue working with the many beloved characters from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

More: All 13 Marvel Movies Releasing After Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverSource: NYT