Industry star David Jonsson has been cast as the son of T’Challa in the upcoming Black Panther 3.
The British actor, who is also known for his roles in Rye Lane, Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk, was unveiled by director Ryan Coogler during Marvel Studios’ presentation at San Diego Comic-Con yesterday (July 25).
Jonsson will play an adult version of Prince T’Challa, the son of Chadwick Boseman’s King T’Challa and Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, who was introduced during the post-credits scene of 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Jonsson appeared on stage alongside Coogler and returning stars Letitia Wright and Winston Duke as the film was confirmed for release on December 15, 2028.
Growing emotional as the news was announced, Jonsson told the Comic-Con crowd: “I want to say thank you so much. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige. Thank you to this amazing family that I honour. It’s a privilege and blessing to join.
“I don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking, but believe me, the honour is entirely mine.”
Wright, whose Shuri inherited the Black Panther mantle in Wakanda Forever, subsequently said she was delighted by Jonsson’s casting and teased her character’s relationship with the young prince.
“The news was really beautiful to hear because I have a personal connection to David,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “To see the full circle of that today, I’m still living in it. We’re both still checking in with each other about it.”
Sinners director Coogler will return to helm the third instalment, having overseen both 2018’s Black Panther and Wakanda Forever, while Denzel Washington has previously confirmed that he will appear in the film.
The filmmaker previously revealed that his original plans for Wakanda Forever, written before Boseman’s death from colon cancer in 2020, would have revolved around T’Challa rebuilding his relationship with his young son following the events of Avengers: Endgame.
In a four-star review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, NME described the sequel as a “magical memorial to Chadwick Boseman”, praising the “mature atmosphere” created by Coogler as the film explored grief and the late actor’s legacy.
Jonsson first rose to prominence in the BBC and HBO drama Industry, before starring opposite Vivian Oparah in the acclaimed 2023 romantic comedy Rye Lane. He went on to play the synthetic Andy in Alien: Romulus, with NME awarding the sci-fi horror five stars and describing it as “as thrilling and scary as the original”.
Speaking to NME around the release of Rye Lane, Jonsson reflected on the unconventional career path that has now led him to the MCU. “I think I’m just a bit weird and strange,” he said. “I would love to make plans, but if I do then I’m sure none of them will come to pass. What’s the saying? ‘If you make plans, God laughs’.”
