Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Black panther 3

  • New Evidence Confirms Production Location, Offers Potential First Clues about One of Marvel’s First Phase 7 Films

    New Evidence Confirms Production Location, Offers Potential First Clues about One of Marvel’s First Phase 7 Films

    Just a couple of weeks ago, Marvel Studios released its most recent Phase 7 slate. Kevin Feige and the Parliament paired the number of films in 2028 from four to three, in addition to revealing what is certainly nothing more than the first draft of its slim 2029 slate. All told, the current configuration of Phase 7 consists of five films, spanning from May 2028 through July 2029.

    • Untitled Marvel Studios May 5, 2028
    • Untitled Marvel Studios July 28, 2028
    • Untitled Marvel Studios December 15, 2028
    • Untitled Marvel Studios May 4, 2029
    • Untitled Marvel Studios July 13, 2029

    Now, as the studio prepares to begin production on the Multiverse Saga finale, Avengers: Secret Wars, a pairing of publicly accessible records has provided production information and potential plot clues for one of the studio’s first Phase 7 films.

    As of March 24th, Marvel Studios had registered Fragment Productions LLC. for motion picture production activities in the UK. While that information still hasn’t hit the web, it led to some serious speculative tweets by yours truly. However, a recent update to the SAG-AFTRA website, located by one of MM’s Discord mods, has clarified the nature of the project.

    According to the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Production Listing database, Marvel Studios will be producing Black Panther 3 under Fragment Productions LLC.

    Despite some concerns that writer/director Ryan Coogler might not move forward with the threequl, the project has been in development for some time. And while rumors have the studio recasting Damson Idris in the role of T’Challa, neither Google nor the studio has confirmed any details about the project, though Denzel Washington has revealed he believes he will be attached to the film.

    While Washington‘s role has not been revealed, rumors have claimed that he would be playing the devious and disruptive villain Achebe. While it’s unclear what the status of the universe, much less Wakanda, will be following Avengers: Secret Wars, Achebe would make a fine antagonist for the nation of Wakanda.

    The name of the production company represents a shift for the studio, which had previously produced Black Panther franchise films under Kimoyo Productions and Kimoyo II Productions, respectively. And as for what direction, if any, the newly formed company’s title might indicate a story for the film…well, that’s a different process entirely. Fragment could refer to a fragment of Vibranium; it could refer to Wakanda somehow remaining as a fragment of the previous iteration of the universe post-Secret Wars; it could refer to an attempt to adapt Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda run, in which Wakanda expanded into space before eventually facing internal civil wars and political fragmentation.

    At the time of publication, Disney had not responded to inquiries about the nature of the LLC or how it may relate to Black Panther 3.

  • ‘Avengers’ Concept Art Shines a Light on Marvel Studios’ Black Panther Plans

    ‘Avengers’ Concept Art Shines a Light on Marvel Studios’ Black Panther Plans

    In recent months, multiple reports have combined to paint a muddled picture of Marvel Studios’ plans for the future of the Black Panther franchise. In early January, Jeff “The In” Snieder shared that he had heard that the studio intended to recast T’Challa ahead of Avengers: Doomsday and that the new actor would reprise the role in Avengers: Secret Wars and again in Black Panther 3. Sneider has a pretty high success rate when it comes to scooping Marvel news but admittedly does not keep up with all the inner workings of the MCU; so, when his report was refuted by social media scooper My Time To Shine Hello, who suggested that the studio was actually looking to recast the role of T’Challa II, played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, most fans adjusted their expectations.

    In February, Marvel Studios’ Parliament member Nate Moore addressed the rumors of a potential recast of T’Challa and effectively ended the conversation, saying that until the studio knew what the story was for Black Panther 3, they were not able to make a decision on replacing the late Chadwick Boseman in the role. Now, some intriguing evidence has emerged that might well explain the source of the rumblings shared by Sneider without making a liar out of Moore.

    We don’t know what the story is, so I couldn’t tell you whether or not we’re open to recasting. It certainly wasn’t our instinct for Wakanda Forever. I’ll never say never to anything, but it’s too early to talk about any of that stuff. We have to figure out what the story’s going to be.

    -Nate Moore

    In what may end up being one of the biggest Marvel Studios’ oopsies ever, Senior Concept/Visual Development Artist Mushk Rizvi posted a significant amount of concept art from the studio’s upcoming slate to her Art Station account. Among there were several designs for a new Black Panther that looked to be using actor Damson Idris as a model. Those designs have since been removed so we certainly won’t be embedding them here; however, inspecting the details of those files provided details that seem to support Sneider’s claims.

    Each of the six different files includes both a reference to the project they were designed for and the name of the character. The files reference a project coded as “ape” which we believe is an abbreviation for Apple Pie, the working title of both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Additionally, they reveal the identity of the Black Panther as T’Chanda. In Marvel Comics lore, T’Chanda was the Black Panther of Wakanda in World War II and the grandfather of T’Challa. And perhaps most interestingly, the file was created in August 2024, after the Russos boarded Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars as co-directors.

    Given the nature of the Multiverse, in which the Fantastic Four is set in a retrofuturistic 1960s alternate universe, it is entirely feasible that the studio plans to introduce T’Chanda, potentially played by Idris or another actor of that impressive caliber, as the Black Panther of his own universe in Avengers: Doomsday and find a way to incorporate him and his descendants into the whatever plans they have beyond the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga.

  • Marvel Studios Exec Ends Speculation about Plans for ‘Black Panther 3’

    Marvel Studios Exec Ends Speculation about Plans for ‘Black Panther 3’

    Since Denzel Washington revealed that Ryan Coogler was writing a part for him into Black Panther 3, reports and rumors about the film have come at a constant clip. While Kevin Feige confirmed that the project is in development and that Nate Moore will serve as a producer despite preparing to leave Marvel Studios, there’s been no other news from official sources. But that hasn’t stopped the usual suspects from sharing what they’ve heard.

    Whether it be rumors about recasting either T’Challa or T’Challa II, Washington‘s potential role or generalized statements that could later be proven true with the wave of a hand, online scoopers have had plenty to say about Black Panther 3…and according to Nate Moore, none of it is true.

    “It is, honestly, so early,” Moore told EW when asked about the online buzz. “We’ve had a couple of conversations with Ryan Coogler, our filmmaker who’s coming back, but he’s finishing up his film.“

    Moore then went out of his way to make it clear that despite the abundance of rumors circulating about Black Panther 3,  the studio has not begun work on the film and won’t be for some time.

    “We are still figuring out again exactly what [the next] Avengers is going to be, so we haven’t had any real story conversations,” Moore explained. “I know there’s been a lot of chatter online about casting and villains. None of that’s true. We just haven’t gotten there yet, to be honest, but I am very excited to start those conversations hopefully this year.”

    The truth is, there’s no truth to those rumors. Never say never to anything, we haven’t really had a lot of creative conversations with Ryan Coogler yet, because he’s finishing his film Sinners, which comes out this year. We’ll get into it later this year, but everything you read online is not true, if for no other reason than we just haven’t started.

    -Nate Moore via Comic Book

    When pressed further about the studio’s willingness to recast the role of T’Challa, Moore doubled downvon his previous claims without closing the door to the possibility. “We don’t know what the story is, so I couldn’t tell you whether or not we’re open to recasting. It certainly wasn’t our instinct for Wakanda Forever,” said Moore. “I’ll never say never to anything, but it’s too early to talk about any of that stuff. We have to figure out what the story’s going to be.”

    With Coogler still working on his script, it can be inferred from Moore‘s comments that Black Panther 3 might not be ready for theaters until after Avengers: Secret Wars. Of course, that’s not going to stop the rumors from flying but it’s good to have someone from the studio provide a little clarity on where things stand with the anticipated project.

    Source: ComicBook, EW

  • New Report Reveals Denzel Washington’s Villainous Marvel Studios Role

    New Report Reveals Denzel Washington’s Villainous Marvel Studios Role

    Fresh off his performance as the Machiavellian Macrinus in Gladiator II, Denzel Washington may be preparing to play another agent of chaos. In November, Washington casually revealed that writer/director Ryan Coogler had created a role for him in the as-yet-undated third film in the Black Panther franchise. Following Washington’s reveal, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, officially announced the film was in development; however, little information about the threequel has been available…until now.

    According to social media scooper My Time To Shine Hello, Washington will be portraying the disruptive and devious Achebe in Black Panther 3.

    Achebe’s arrival in Wakanda has been anticipated for some time and while he would have made a fine antagonist in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the events of the sequel may have perfectly primed a path for the villain to wreak havoc.

    Between 1998 and 2003, Christopher Priest wrote 60 issues of Black Panther for Marvel Comics. Priest’s run began with T’Challa in an interesting pinch: a girl who was a part of T’Challa’s Tomorrow Fund, an organization he founded in the United States, has been found murdered. Meanwhile, refugees flock to Wakanda’s border, led by the enigmatic Reverend Doctor Michael Ibn al-hajj Achebe. In T’Challa’s absence, Achebe makes his move to overtake Wakanda.

    By introducing the Wakandan outreach center in 2018’s Black Panther, Coogler created the MCU’s equivalent of the Tomorrow Fund. Black Panther 3 could open with a scenario similar to Priest’s run that would require Shuri to leave Wakanda to investigate, leaving an opening for Achebe. Her absence, paired with the devastation from Namor’s attack, would provide the perfect scenario to allow Achebe to further destabilize Wakanda and then attempt to assume control.

  • Marvel Studios Reportedly Recasting a Major MCU Hero Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Marvel Studios Reportedly Recasting a Major MCU Hero Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Recasting key actors is hardly a novel idea at this point in the MCU. Edward Norton and Terrence Howard were rather unceremoniously removed from their respective roles as Bruce Banner and James Rhodes after just one outing each. More recently, Harrison Ford joined the MCU as Thaddeus Ross following the passing of William Hurt, who portrayed the character in five films. Multiple actors have also portrayed Cassie Lang, Billy Maximoff and even Thanos, among others. However, one beloved MCU character seemed off limits to a recast…until now.

    According to a report from Jeff “The In” Sneider, “Marvel is looking to recast its Black Panther hero T’Challa ahead of the two Avengers movies and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3.“

    Following Chadwick Boseman‘s death, Marvel Studios weighed its options about how to move forward in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, ultimately deciding to work T’Challa’s death into the sequel rather than attempt to recast the role. Though it would seem problematic to recast the character now, Sneider ‘s report could be interpreted at least a couple of different ways.

    As the studio approaches the end of the Multiverse Saga, the most logical option for “Recasting” T’Challa would be the introduction of a multiversal Variant of the character. Certainly any attempts t resurrect the Sacred Timeline’s T’Challa would be incredibly controversial and, frankly, unnecessary. Presumably, as Avengers: Secret Wars draws near, more alternate universes, or at least more heroes and villains from the ones that have already been introduced, will come into play and a Variant T’Challa would be a great addition to any team of heroes taking on Doctor Doom.

    Of course, another option for the “recast” might involve the studio searching for an older actor to step into the role of T’Challa II, played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While it’s unclear when Avengers: Doomsday will be set, if the studio does indeed have a three-film arc in store for the character, they may be looking to age the character up a touch.

    In either case, it would seem that Letitia Wright‘s Shuri, who took up the mantle of Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is headed for a reduced role despite delivering a fantastic performance in the sequel. That is, of course, unless the studio chooses a third option: introducing a multiversal Variant of T’Challa who is aligned with Doctor Doom and finds himself at odds with Shuri, T’Challa II and the rest of the Wakanda.

    With production on Avengers: Doomsday set to kick off this year, it’s likely fans will have some clarity on the reported recast of T’Challa relatively soon.

  • Letita Wright Teases ‘Black Panther 3’ Being “In the Works”

    Letita Wright Teases ‘Black Panther 3’ Being “In the Works”

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has released last year in theaters and wrapped up Marvel Studios’ 2022 in style. Disney generally ended the year strong with its latest Marvel Cinematic Universe release and the return of Avatar. During the Golden Globes Pre-Show, Variety got a chance to ask Letitia Wright if she might have a hint at what’s in the future. In it, she may have revealed that Black Panther 3 may already be planned.

    I think it’s already in the works. You know we just had a terrific two years of bringing it out and just everyone coming together to support it. We just need a little bit of a break. We need to regroup and Ryan needs to get back into the lab. It’s gonna take a while, but really excited for you guys to see that.

    Letitia Wright

    It definitely sounds like a Black Panther threequel is in the cards, especially after the film had an impressive gross at the box office last year even with some massive challenges; most notably losing its primary headliner Chadwick Boseman. Letitia Wright took over as its titular hero and opens up new avenues for the franchise to grow.

    There are also Wakandan-focused spinoff series in development that may flesh out the aftermath of the events in Wakanda Forever while they try not to rush out a new entry in Ryan Cooglers‘ franchise. He’s also involved with the upcoming Ironheart series, which means he may have enough work to keep him busy before he sits down to write a third Black Panther film.

    Source: Twitter

  • Ryan Coogler Talks Potential Return for ‘Black Panther 3’

    Ryan Coogler Talks Potential Return for ‘Black Panther 3’

    We are still around two weeks away from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s release in theaters but many already have set their eyes on a potential third entry. There’s been no official announcement if they’d continue the franchise, but that wasn’t the focus while promoting the second entry, especially with its emotional anchor surrounding the fate of T’Challa reflecting that of the actor that made him an icon.

    Yet, while the promotion remains on Wakanda Forever, some still can’t help but wonder if Ryan Coogler was interested in returning for a third entry and it seems that this is definitely not on the director’s mind at the moment in an interview with ComicBook.com.

    I got no answers for you. Yeah, no, I try to finish what I’m doing, and then think about what’s next.

    Ryan Coogler

    It makes sense given just how much work was put into releasing the second franchise entry. Still, it does seem likely we’ll see a third entry eventually, especially with how important the Black Panther franchise has become in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Phase 6 line-up is still uncertain and there’s a possibility that they further explore this corner of the world before entering the multiverse fully.

    There’s also the question of who will truly lead the project moving forward. Wakanda Forever is seemingly more of an ensemble piece with many hints about who is taking on the role of Black Panther in the trailers. Yet, it’s not a certain element nowadays as there hasn’t been an official “passing of the torch” announced and we’ll see if the weight of the cowl will remain.

    Source: YouTube via The Direct