- Primary Subject: Marvel Studios' Black Panther 3 & the Casting of Prince T'Challa II
- Key Update: Although David Jonsson is set to appear in Black Panther 3 as Prince T'Challa II, a new leak claims the actor could appear in an MCU project before that.
- Status: Rumored
- Last Verified: July 30, 2026
- Quick Answer: David Jonsson could debut as a grown-up version of Prince T'Challa II in Avengers: Secret Wars, according to one popular leaker.
Following the emotional release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios is preparing to turn the page to the next chapter of the Wakandan saga.
During the studio's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and director Ryan Coogler officially introduced actor David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, The Long Walk) as the new face of the franchise, setting the stage for a new generation to step into the mantle.
New T'Challa Actor David Jonsson Expected To Make MCU Debut Ahead of Threequel
David Jonsson will be taking on the role of Prince T'Challa II, the character introduced as a young boy named Toussaint in the mid-credits scene of Wakanda Forever.
Jonsson will play the son of the late King T'Challa (played by the late Chadwick Boseman) and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o); the young prince was raised away from the Wakandan throne in Haiti.
Black Panther 3 is officially scheduled for a theatrical release on December 15, 2028, with Ryan Coogler returning to write and direct. While the threequel is the official headlining vehicle for Jonsson, speculation is mounting that the actor could make an earlier appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to reputable insider Daniel Richtman, Jonsson may be set to make his official MCU debut in 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars, especially after leaked concept art revealing Battleworld and a new Black Panther last year.
With major ensemble projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, fans suspect that multiversal shifts or time jumps could introduce the adult Prince T'Challa II ahead of his dedicated 2028 solo film.
Returning cast members Letitia Wright (Shuri) and Winston Duke (M'Baku) have also been confirmed for the threequel, securing a direct continuation of the royal family's story arc.
What Fans Can Expect From the New Black Panther and How He Fits in the MCU
Unlike the original Black Panther, which featured a fully established ruler and warrior of Wakanda, the third installment explores what it means to grow up under the shadow of a legendary legacy.
Prince T'Challa's journey will center on his transition from a hidden life in Haiti to embracing his birthright and navigating the complex political responsibilities of Wakanda.
Shuri's takeover of the Black Panther mantle in Wakanda Forever bridged through the kingdom's grief. Prince T'Challa's presence in the picture would allow Shuri to provide the guidance he would need to train to inherit both the heart-shaped herb's power and the throne, honoring the groundwork laid in the previous films by passing the torch as naturally as possible.
With Black Panther 3 slated for a late 2028 release, the threequel sits as a cornerstone of the MCU's future, particularly after the epic climax of the current Multiverse Saga. Jonsson's T'Challa II is poised to become one of the premier heroes leading the next generation of the MCU for years to come.
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