Videos by According2HipHop
Ryan Coogler just gave the ultimate stamp of approval to the idea of Denzel Washington joining the Black Panther universe—and it’s been in the works longer than fans may have realized.
The acclaimed director pulled up to Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, where a game of “F–k With It or F–k Outta Here” sparked the question: Would Denzel Washington be in Black Panther 3?
“That’s a big f–k with it,” Coogler said without hesitation, adding, “You crazy?” The excitement in his voice made it clear—this wasn’t just fan casting.
Coogler went on to reveal he’s been eyeing a collab with the acting icon since the jump. “Denzel is family at this point…I’ve been trying to work with him since day one,” Coogler said. “I think he’s the greatest living actor, and in terms of what he means to our culture—forget about it. I’ve been talking to him about this for a long time.”
That lines up with what Washington hinted at last year during an appearance on Australia’s Today talk show, where he casually name-dropped Coogler while listing future projects.
“Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther,” he said, noting that at this point in his legendary career, it’s less about franchises and more about working with top-tier creatives. “It’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career. I’m only interested in working with the best.”
Washington even rattled off a few other upcoming plans, including reprising Othello at age 70, a potential Hannibal project, and a film with Steve McQueen.
For now, Coogler hasn’t dropped any specifics about what kind of role Washington might play, but one thing’s clear—he’s not just flirting with the idea. It’s already in motion.
Whether or not the Black Panther 3 script is locked in, one thing’s for sure: Coogler and Denzel linking up on screen is long overdue.
