Mr Viral
By
Alex Welch
Published December 15, 2024 3:17 PM
Cuba Scott / Paramount Pictures
Denzel Washington made waves in November when he revealed that he plans to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before he retires. While promoting Gladiator II on Australia’s Today show, the two-time Oscar winner surprised everyone by announcing, “[Black Panther director] Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.” The news understandably came as a shock to comic book fans, given that Marvel hasn’t even announced Black Panther 3 yet, let alone whether Coogler will be returning to helm the project.
Now, it looks like Washington’s comment may have come as a bit of a surprise to Coogler himself. During an appearance on the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, Washington revealed that he called the filmmaker recently to apologize for spilling the beans about his involvement in Black Panther 3. “I called him the other day. I forgot what it was about — no, I called him to apologize,” Washington said. “I said, ‘I’m sorry, man.’ He’s like, ‘No, man, it’s all good.’”
Stefano Montesi / Sony Pictures
The actor went on to admit that he doesn’t know exactly what Coogler has planned for him in Black Panther 3, only that he’s going to be included in the film. “I don’t know what he’s got cooking for me,” Washington explained. “I love Ryan, because he’s like, he won’t say things. ‘You know what I’m saying? Like, you know what I’m saying?’ Well, at least that’s when he talks to me.”
“I’m like, ‘No, I don’t know what you’re saying, Ryan, say it!’” the actor continued. “That’s how he sounds, right? ‘Yeah, you know what I’m saying?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, are you kidding me? Just write it! Whatever you write, I’ll do it.’”
Please enable Javascript to view this content
Fans will likely have to wait a bit to learn more about Coogler and Washington’s Black Panther 3 collaboration. Coogler is currently in the midst of finishing his next film, Sinners, an original horror movie starring Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld that’s set to hit theaters in March. Whether or not he chooses Black Panther 3 as his follow-up to that film remains to be seen. Washington, for his part, is next set to appear in Highest 2 Lowest, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low that marks a reunion between the actor and director Spike Lee.
Alex is a writer and critic who has been writing about and reviewing movies and TV at Digital Trends since 2022. He was…
All the Marvel Easter eggs in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios’ sequel to Black Panther has finally premiered in theaters, giving audiences a spectacular and emotional cinematic tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. It also adds to the legacy of Black Panther and expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its introduction of Riri Williams’ Ironheart, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the undersea kingdom of Talokan.
In this movie, there are multiple references to past films in the MCU and the comic book source material that it is based on. For those who have yet to see the movie or want to look back to see what they missed, here is a guide to all the Easter eggs in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
10. Anderson Cooper and the news headlines
Read more
Marvel reveals new Avengers movies, Black Panther 2 trailer, and more
It wouldn’t be San Diego Comic-Con without an in-depth look at the MCU. After a comparatively lackluster presentation by rival DC, Marvel unveiled new trailers, new characters, new casting announcements, and new release dates for most (but not all) of its upcoming film and television projects.
First, the Disney+ content. Fans got a closer look at the forthcoming She-Hulk: Attorney at Law series, which stars Tatiana Maslany as the jade giantess who is trying to reconcile her life as a lawyer with her new role as a superhero. Helping her out is her cousin Bruce Banner aka the Hulk, played once again by MCU veteran Mark Ruffalo.
Read more
Black Panther director Ryan Coogler will produce Ironheart
In 2018, director Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther became one of Marvel’s most successful films and earned the studio its first-ever Best Picture nomination. Coogler is currently finishing the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, ahead of its release later this year. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Coogler is expanding his relationship with Marvel Studios by executive producing the upcoming Disney+ original series Ironheart.
Created by Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato in 2016, Ironheart is the alter ego of Riri Williams, a 15-year-old tech genius enrolled at MIT. Riri managed to reverse engineer Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor and create her own suit. Stark was so impressed by Riri that he endorsed her desire to become a superhero. In the series, Dominique Thorne will play Riri, a role that she will originate in Wakanda Forever.
Read more
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings