The information that Denzel Washington goes to be in Black Panther 3 is likely one of the most earth-shattering surprises in popular culture as of late for a few causes. For one, the two-time Academy Award winner beforehand claimed that he was “past the tights years,” whereas additionally including that he’s not fully against the concept of starring in an upcoming superhero film, in 2016. Secondly, there was no official announcement that there could be a 3rd Black Panther film (and there nonetheless is none, as of November 2024) when he nonchalantly revealed that Ryan Coogler was writing an element for him whereas doing press for his new 2024 film, Gladiator II.
At this second, even the beloved veteran actor doesn’t know what his Black Panther 3 function shall be. Nonetheless, he stated that he’s prepared to just accept no matter half he’s supplied, irrespective of how large or small, out of his admiration for Coogler, who additionally has an upcoming thriller referred to as Sinners popping out in 2025. I’ve little question, no matter it’s, that Washington will nail his half within the upcoming Marvel film however I additionally can not assist myself from speculating over who from the pages of Marvel Comics we might even see him deliver to life. So, I assumed I might look into it and current the next Marvel characters whom Washington may doubtlessly play on this forthcoming sequel to among the best Marvel motion pictures but.
Olumo Bashenga
Denzel Washington says he doesn’t thoughts if he solely exhibits up in Black Panther 3 for one scene, and even one line, and I definitely respect that. Nevertheless, if that had been to be the case, I imagine an actor of his stature deserves to make one hell of a cameo, and a memorable look he will surely be capable to make if forged is by enjoying Olumo Bashenga.
Generations earlier than Shuri, T’Challa and T’Chaka took on the mantle of the Black Panther, Bashenga grew to become its originator – or, a minimum of, that’s how he was recognized in his first look in a 1977 concern of Black Panther. A later comedian referred to as Avengers of 1,000,000 BC from 2017 would retcon this info, referring to a personality named Mosi as the primary Wakandan warrior to don the black fur. Nevertheless, since Bashenga remains to be honored because the nation’s first king, I feel a flashback or an look from the Ancestral Aircraft as Bashenga could be the correct match for Washington.
S’Yan
However, it could be even better to see Denzel Washington star in Black Panther 3 in a predominant function, maybe as any individual from T’Challa and Shuri’s household we now have not met but. In that regard, the primary individual to return to thoughts for me was their uncle, S’Yan.
T’Chaka’s brother was truly first launched in Marvel Comics in 2005, as created by filmmaker Reginald Hudlin with John Romita Jr., and depicted as a fierce warrior who taught his nephew a lot of what he is aware of about fight. It could be attention-grabbing to see him seem in a flashback to T’Challa’s youth earlier than reappearing in modern-day as a mentor to Shuri as she continues her reign because the Black Panther.
Physician Voodoo
For as fantastic as it could be to see Denzel Washington play a Wakandan, one other a part of me would have an interest to see him seem as a hero from an entire completely different realm and one whose MCU induction is approach overdue so far as I’m involved. The character’s title is Jericho Drumm, in any other case referred to as Physician (or Brother) Voodoo, whose present absence within the franchise could be forgiven by casting somebody like Washington within the function.
The Sorcerer Supreme from the realm of voodoo was beforehand rumored to seem in 2016’s Physician Unusual, and once more in 2022’s Physician Unusual within the Multiverse of Insanity when he didn’t present within the predecessor. Contemplating how a lot darker and extra mystical the MCU has change into with installments, such because the WandaVision spinoff Agatha All Alongside, I feel we now have waited lengthy sufficient to see Physician Voodoo work his magic, and seeing Washington deliver him to life in Black Panther 3 would make for one enchanting spell.
Changamire
I simply remembered that I, coincidentally, included Physician Voodoo on a listing of Marvel characters John David Washington ought to play. So if Denzel Washington could be prepared to cross on that function for his son’s sake, I’ve one other potential Black Panther 3 function in thoughts that may be much more fascinating named Changamire.
Created by prolific author Ta-Nehisi Coates with Brian Stelfreeze, Changamire was a thinker who was chosen to be a tutor King T’Chaka’s royal court docket and in addition served as a private mentor to Queen Ramonda. Nevertheless, at one level, he would unintentionally encourage a violent revolt in Wakanda along with his anti-royalist teachings. Seeing this highly effective nation at civil battle will surely make for an attention-grabbing plot to Black Panther 3, making the concept of Washington enjoying Changamire fairly thrilling.
Tetu
In fact, as we all know from Denzel Washington’s Oscar-winning efficiency in 2001’s Coaching Day as corrupt LAPD detective Alonzo Harris, the actor is electrical when enjoying a nasty man. So, in that case, I feel it could be particularly enjoyable to see him in a extra definitively villainous function that may nonetheless enable Black Panther 3 to include the hypothetical Wakandan civil battle storyline.
Tetu was a pupil of Changamire who grew to become so impressed by his mentor’s anti-monarchical beliefs that he would change into the co-leader of a violent revolutionary group referred to as The Individuals. As lots of the greatest Marvel film villains thus far have taught us, the important thing to a terrific foe portrayal is making them equally fearsome and respectable, boasting an affordable motive for his or her actions. Washington may simply make Tetu into one of the fearsome and respectable MCU villains but.
Achebe
Then once more, I feel it could be particularly attention-grabbing to see simply how darkish Denzel Washington can go along with his villainous portrayal. We would wish to forged him as a reasonably bleak foe and, for that, we want not look a lot additional than Achebe.
As soon as a kindly household man with a university training, the native of the African nation of Ghudaza was pushed to insanity after insurgent guerillas destroyed his farm, killed his spouse and left him for useless. He would go on to efficiently try and overthrow the Wakandan authorities with assist from none apart from Mephisto. That is the form of juicy villain function that any actor curious to get into comedian e-book movies would kill for and one which Washington may deliver one thing distinctive to.
Hopefully, we obtain some formal affirmation that Black Panther 3 is in growth quickly, and with it a minimum of a touch at who Denzel Washington is enjoying within the sequel. Till then, check out different thrilling releases to stay up for on our upcoming 2025 film schedule.