Academy Award winner and Hollywood icon Denzel Washington has revealed some incredibly exciting news – not only is Black Panther 3 now in development, Washington will star in the MCU sequel. Speaking with the Today Show, Washington discussed the multiple projects he currently has in the pipeline now that Gladiator 2 is all set to hit theaters, revealing that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is currently writing a role for Washington in the Marvel threequel. Yes, Denzel Washington is going to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“I don’t know how many more films I’m gonna make. Probably not that many. I wan to do things I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22 and I’m about to play Othello at 70. After that I’m playing Hannibal. After that I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that I’m gonna do the film Othello. After that I’m gonna do King Lear. After that I’m gonna retire.”

While Washington does not provide any details regarding the role currently being written for him in the currently unannounced MCU sequel, Marvel and comic book fans are now free to speculate while squealing with excitement at the prospect of the popular actor finally adding his name to the franchise. Washington has long been a fan-favorite for various comic book movie roles, including the likes of X-Men villain Magneto, and while we don’t know if his Black Panther 3 character will be an original creation or a comic book staple, the mere idea of Denzel Washington in the MCU is more than enough for now.

Denzel Washington Has Plenty in the Pipeline Before His Impending Retirement

While the news that Denzel Washington is planning to retire within the next few years is sure to hit all of us like a brick wall, the beloved actor clearly has no plans to slow down before that fateful day. As well as confirming that he will join the MCUBlack Panther 3, Washington also reveals that he will star as the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal in an untitled epic drama that will see the actor reunite with Training Day and The Equalizer filmmaker Antoine Fuqua.

Washington also reveals that he will return to the stage to play Othello, as well as reprise the role for a movie adaptation. His love for William Shakespeare will continue with King Lear, with both projects likely to line up nicely alongside his previous adaptations of The Bard in Much Ado About Nothingand The Tragedy of Macbeth.

Related You Can Now Stream One of Denzel Washington’s Best Movies for Free The Oscar-winner teams up with director Spike Lee for this epic biographical drama.

Denzel Washington will next star as a former slave-turned-power broker, Macrinus, in the swords and sandals epic, Gladiator 2. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa, Gladiator 2 stars Paul Mescal (Aftersun), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, Fantastic Four), Fred Hechinger (Kraven the Hunter), Connie Nielsen (Gladiator, Nobody), Derek Jacobi (Gladiator, Good Omens), May Calamawy (Moon Knight), Lior Raz (The Crowded Room), and Peter Mensah (300, Avatar) alongside Washington. Check out the official synopsis below.

“Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.”

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.Release Date November 22, 2024 Cast Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz Studio(s) Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Red Wagon Entertainment Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Character(s) Lucius Verus , Marcus Acacius , Macrinus , Lucilla , Emperor Caracalla , Emperor Geta , Gracchus Expand