Marvel has officially revealed the MCU’s next Black Panther. During Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, director Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige introduced British actor David Jonsson to lead the franchise into its next era.
The Alien: Romulus and Industry star is stepping into the suit for Black Panther 3, which is scheduled to hit theaters on December 15, 2028. Jonsson will portray Prince T’Challa II (also known as Toussaint) as a young adult. First introduced as a child at the end of Wakanda Forever, the story will follow T’Challa and Nakia’s son as he steps out of hiding, claims his right to the throne, and carries forward the powerful legacy of his late father.
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British actor David Jonsson began his professional career on the London stage. In 2021, he won a Black British Theatre Award for his performance in and breathe…. His major television breakthrough came with his role as Gus Sackey in HBO’s popular drama series Industry.
Jonsson soon transitioned into film, charming audiences in the hit 2023 Sundance romantic comedy Rye Lane. Later, he starred as the android Andy in the sci-fi thriller Alien: Romulus. His performance earned him the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2025.
Jonsson has continued expanding his filmography with projects including The Long Walk and Wasteman. Preparing for his biggest role yet, Jonsson will now take the lead in Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster Black Panther 3 as T’Challa II.
David Jonsson’s first appearance as the MCU’s new Black Panther will mark the beginning of a fresh era for Wakanda. Instead of recasting Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, Marvel has chosen to continue his family legacy through T’Challa II, also known as Toussaint, the son of T’Challa and Nakia.
We briefly saw the character as a young boy in the closing scenes of Wakanda Forever (2022). Now, Black Panther 3 will age him into adulthood and place him at the centre of the story.
Rather than rewriting the past, the film expands on a storyline already established in the MCU. T’Challa II is the rightful heir to Wakanda’s throne and the Black Panther mantle, giving Marvel a natural way to explore the next chapter without undoing the emotional farewell to Boseman’s character. Ryan Coogler has also returned to write and direct the sequel, ensuring continuity with the first two films while introducing a new generation of heroes.
In the broader scope of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jonsson’s introduction officially anchors Phase 7. Positioned in the aftermath of Avengers: Secret Wars, his storyline marks a generational reset for Wakanda, bridging the nation’s rich history with a fresh era of heroes.
Inheriting the suit from his aunt Shuri, T’Challa II serves as a crucial link between Wakanda’s royal lineage and potential new cosmic or mutant alliances across the reordered multiverse. Jonsson’s role honors Chadwick Boseman’s memory while positioning Wakanda’s new protector at the heart of the MCU’s future.
The film will hit the theaters on December 15, 2028.
Edited by Suchita Patnaha
