Denzel Washington reveals that he will star in Black Panther 3

Who will he play?

Washington shared the news casually during an appearance on Australia's Today program, telling the presenter that Ryan Coogler is 'writing a part for [him]'.

Fans were delighted by the news though it is not clear yet what part Washington will play.

Taking to X one fan said: "Denzel and Wakanda? Now that's what I call perfect casting. Can't wait to see what Ryan Coogler does with a legend like him."

Another said: "This is going to be epic I'm a big fan of Denzel Washington."

While a third added: "With Gladiator 2 & Black panther3 he’s gonna be on fire."

One fan longed for Washington to play a villain saying: "I need Denzel as the Black Panther 3 villain SO BADLY."

If Coogler is writing a part just for him, it must be a crucial part of the story.

The first two Black Panther movies have featured star-studded ensembles. Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett have all appeared in them.

If it comes off, it will be his first foray into comic book movie filmmaking, having done almost everything else in his career.

The first Black Panther grossed over $1.3 billion at the box office and was a big hit. A sequel, Wakanda Forever, followed in 2022 and grossed $859 million.

Washington made the revelation while promoting Ridley Scott's Gladiator II in which he stars alongside Paul Mescal.

He was asked about his next steps and while he is 59 years old, he is not slowing down and has several projects coming soon.

He said he will also do two more William Shakespeare adaptations, Othello and King Lear, before retiring.