‘Black Panther’ Actor Winston Duke Reveals What He Told David Jonsson About Taking On The Iconic Role
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- Ryan Coogler announced at San Diego Comic-Con that Black Panther 3 will hit theaters December 15, 2028, with David Jonsson cast as T'Challa's grown son — the child glimpsed at the end of Wakanda Forever.
- Coogler specifically cited Jonsson's role in last year's The Long Walk (directed by Francis Lawrence) as he introduced the actor onstage alongside Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Kevin Feige.
- Winston Duke, who plays M'Baku, told Deadline he had spoken with Jonsson for the first time earlier that day and framed their conversation around the grace he was extended when Black Panther was his very first film.
- Duke said he wanted Jonsson to know the cast is 'here to support, here to help, here to augment' so he can 'do his best work,' and distilled his message down to: 'Come play.'
Why it matters: The original Black Panther cast is actively shaping the handoff to the next generation rather than leaving the incoming lead to navigate the role alone — a direct pipeline from M'Baku's first-time experience on set to Jonsson's debut in the franchise, anchored by the December 2028 release date that locks in the production timeline.
