David Jonsson cast as T'Challa's son in Black Panther 3
British actor David Jonsson has been cast as an aged-up Prince T'Challa II in Marvel's upcoming Black Panther 3, directed by Ryan Coogler.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has secured a major new franchise lead following a surprise announcement delivered during a San Diego Comic-Con panel. British actor David Jonsson has been cast as the star of the upcoming Black Panther 3, stepping into a central role in the expanding Wakandan saga. The casting update introduces a fresh dynamic to the superhero series, transitioning the narrative focus toward the next generation of royalty.
According to reporting from Aol, the casting news was revealed on Saturday, 25 July 2026, during Marvel Studios' Hall H presentation. Director Ryan Coogler introduced the actor to a standing ovation from the crowd, confirming that Jonsson will portray an aged-up version of Prince T'Challa II. The character was initially introduced as a small child during the conclusion of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, born in secret to the original monarch T'Challa — portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman — and Nakia.
Media additions
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and director Ryan Coogler confirmed that the third installment will arrive in cinemas on 15 December 2028. Alongside Jonsson, franchise veterans Letitia Wright will reprise her role as Shuri, and Winston Duke will return as M'Baku, the newly anointed King of Wakanda. Coogler will return to direct the project, while the Hall H panel also included a reveal that Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider in an upcoming film.
The decision not to recast the original role of T'Challa following Boseman's death from cancer in 2020 remains a cornerstone of Marvel's approach to the franchise. Feige previously noted that Boseman's performance transcended traditional iterations, prompting the studio to pass the mantle to Shuri in the second film while exploring the broader world of Wakanda.
Jonsson's journey to the Marvel Cinematic Universe spans the British stage and a rapidly expanding screen resume. Born on September 4, 1993, and raised in Custom House in east London, Jonsson is the youngest of four siblings and describes his heritage as Creole with family roots in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Caribbean, and Sweden. His father worked as an IT engineer at Heathrow Airport and his mother served with the Metropolitan Police. Following academic struggles and a school transfer, Jonsson pursued acting after spending two years in New York City before returning to London at 18. He joined the National Youth Theatre and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2016, before gaining widespread recognition on the West End and winning a Black British Theatre Award.
Television audiences came to know him through his role in the HBO and BBC Two series Industry, as well as main and recurring roles in The Road Trip and Deep State. His cinematic career includes acclaimed turns in the romantic comedy Rye Lane, the science fiction thriller Alien: Romulus, and Stephen King's adapted dystopian drama The Long Walk. He also claimed the BAFTA Rising Star Award and received a nomination for Best Lead Performance at the British Independent Film Awards for his role in the British prison thriller Wasteman.
What to Watch Next
- Watch for narrative bridges across upcoming Marvel releases, including Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which are expected to address the time jump required for Prince T'Challa II to reach adulthood.
- Keep track of further production updates as filming approaches for the December 15, 2028 theatrical release date.
