Marvel fans might want to sit down for this one.
Because the latest update on Black Panther 3 is honestly a gut punch, and it’s the kind of news that makes the future of Wakanda feel shaky all over again. After everything this franchise has carried—emotionally and culturally—this is not the kind of development people were hoping to hear.
For months, fans have been waiting for signs that Marvel was ready to jump into the next chapter.
Instead, it looks like Marvel’s plan is going to test everyone’s patience.
Black Panther Still Holds a Special Place in the MCU
When Black Panther (2018) arrived, it didn’t just introduce a new hero. It introduced Wakanda as one of the MCU’s most important worlds, and it instantly became a cornerstone of Marvel storytelling.
The film wasn’t just successful. It became a major cultural moment that changed the MCU forever.
Then Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) had to do something no Marvel movie had ever done before—continue the story after the heartbreaking loss of Chadwick Boseman. His portrayal of T’Challa meant everything to fans, and Marvel made it clear the sequel would honor his legacy rather than try to replace him.
At the same time, the film elevated Shuri (Letitia Wright) into the spotlight, proving Wakanda’s story still had somewhere meaningful to go.
Marvel’s Attention Has Shifted to the Next Avengers Era
At this point, Marvel Studios has one clear mission: build toward its next huge crossover events.
The studio’s focus has shifted toward Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and those films are pulling in nearly every central character Marvel has left on the board.
Reports and announcements have tied a massive list of names to those projects, including Professor X (Patrick Stewart), the Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), and even Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).
And yes, Shuri is also expected to be involved, which likely means Letitia Wright will be busy for quite a while.
That alone makes fans wonder how Marvel can realistically squeeze a full Black Panther 3 production into the schedule.
And now we know why the timeline looks so frustrating.
The Black Panther 3 Update MCU Fans Did NOT Want
A report from insider Jeff Sneider suggests Marvel Studios is targeting the start of 2027 to begin filming Black Panther 3, with a February 2028 theatrical release.
If that schedule holds, it would mean more than five years between Wakanda Forever and the third film.
That’s a massive gap, especially for a franchise that fans still feel emotionally attached to. And it’s the kind of delay that makes the sequel feel farther away than it should be.
Marvel Has Made Long Gaps the New Normal
As disappointing as this is, it’s not unique.
Marvel has already gotten into the habit of spacing out sequels longer than ever before. Non-Avengers films have been forced into waiting periods that would’ve seemed impossible during the peak MCU years.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania took more than four years to arrive.
Captain America: Brave New World has an even longer gap compared to the last time fans saw a Captain America sequel in the traditional sense.
And Spider-Man: Brand New Day is another example of Marvel taking years between chapters.
So while the Black Panther 3 delay feels brutal, it fits the pattern Marvel has been building.
Why Marvel Might Be Taking So Long
A big reason seems obvious: Marvel is prioritizing Doomsday and Secret Wars, which are expected to reshape the MCU and set up the next era.
But there’s another factor here, too—Ryan Coogler’s schedule.
Coogler has been busy with his vampire film Sinners, and he still has other major projects lined up. He has also confirmed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that Black Panther 3 comes after his planned X-Files reboot TV series.
So even if Marvel wants Wakanda back on screen sooner, Coogler’s timeline may be the biggest obstacle.
And Marvel likely isn’t interested in doing this sequel without him.
What Will Happen in Black Panther 3?
Marvel hasn’t confirmed a storyline yet, but fan speculation has been building for a while.
One of the most prominent theories is that the film could center on Wakanda’s future leadership and the legacy of the throne, possibly positioning Toussaint (Prince T’Challa II) as a major figure. If the movie really doesn’t arrive until 2028, Marvel could age him up enough to make that storyline believable.
There’s also speculation that the movie could land after Secret Wars, making it a significant “new era” MCU project. That opens the door for bigger cosmic threats, and some fans believe a new villain—possibly the Lion Cult—could play a role.
Still, none of this is confirmed. It’s just speculation based on how Marvel has been building its next phase.
Wakanda’s Future Will Be Shaped by the Avengers Films
This update may be disappointing, but it doesn’t mean Marvel is moving on from Black Panther.
If anything, it suggests Wakanda is being saved for the next chapter of the MCU. With Shuri tied into the upcoming Avengers events, Marvel clearly still sees her as an essential part of the franchise.
And once Doomsday and Secret Wars hit, they’re going to reshape everything.
So yes, fans may have to wait longer than expected.
But if Marvel sticks the landing, Black Panther 3 could arrive at the perfect moment to redefine Wakanda’s future in a huge way.
For now, one thing is clear:
Wakanda will return. Just not anytime soon.
