Anticipated Release Date: July 18, 2025
Director: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Dominique Thorne
Wakanda Forever, Even Among the Stars
Pre-production is well underway on the third installment of Marvel Studios’ groundbreaking “Black Panther” franchise, with director Ryan Coogler returning to complete his trilogy. According to industry sources, “Black Panther 3: Kingdom of Stars” will take the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda beyond Earth and into the cosmos, combining the Afrofuturist aesthetic that defined the series with elements of space exploration.
Production Status
Marvel Studios has confirmed that principal photography is scheduled to begin in June 2024, with filming locations including Atlanta, Georgia (where much of the previous films were shot) as well as new locations in South Africa and reportedly at Industrial Light & Magic’s The Volume stage for space sequences. Concept artists have been developing designs for Wakandan spacecraft and cosmic environments since late 2023.
What We Know So Far
While plot details remain confidential, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that the film will follow Queen Shuri (Letitia Wright) as she continues her journey as both monarch and Black Panther. When an extraterrestrial threat with connections to Wakanda’s ancient past emerges, Shuri must lead a team including Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Okoye (Danai Gurira), M’Baku (Winston Duke), and Riri Williams/Ironheart (Dominique Thorne) into space.
The film will reportedly explore the cosmic implications of vibranium, revealing that the meteorite that crashed into Wakanda millennia ago was not an isolated incident but part of a larger interstellar conflict that has now found its way to Earth. This connection would tie Wakanda’s story to the broader cosmic elements of the MCU’s new saga.
John David Washington has been cast in an undisclosed role rumored to be T’Challa’s previously unknown cousin who has been living off-world, while industry insiders suggest Jonathan Majors may appear as a variant of Kang, connecting the film to the larger “Multiverse Saga.”
A Cultural Phenomenon Continues
The Black Panther franchise has transcended typical superhero fare to become a cultural touchstone, with the first film making history as the first superhero movie nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Director Ryan Coogler has stated that this third film aims to honor both the legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman and the impact the series has had on representation in blockbuster filmmaking.
What We’re Waiting For
Marvel fans are eagerly anticipating the first concept art of Wakandan spacecraft and space technology, as well as confirmation of how this film will connect to broader MCU cosmic storylines. A first look is expected at D23 Expo 2024, with a teaser trailer likely to follow later that year.
How do you feel about Black Panther going cosmic? What connections to other Marvel cosmic characters would you like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments!