Comic-Con 2026: David Jonsson is new Black Panther

At Comic-Con International 2026, Marvel Studios unveiled major casting announcements and cinematic updates, drawing thousands of fans to San Diego. Among the highlights was the introduction of David Jonsson as the new Black Panther, succeeding the late Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa. Jonsson, a 32-year-old British actor known for roles in Industry, The Long Walk, and Alien: Romulus, stood beside director Ryan Coogler and actors Letitia Wright and Winston Duke during the panel. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating he wished to keep details private until the film’s release. Black Panther III is scheduled for December 15, 2028. The announcement followed years of speculation among fans regarding the successor to T’Challa, whose death was depicted in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Since the 2022 film introduced the idea of T’Challa having a son, names such as Damson Idris and Wright had circulated as potential candidates. The original Black Panther (2018) remains a landmark achievement, becoming the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and grossing over $1.3 billion globally. Its sequel, Wakanda Forever, earned $850 million worldwide despite mixed critical reception. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, announced that Avengers: Endgame would receive a re-release on September 25, featuring newly added footage connecting it to the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, slated for December 18. A trailer shown during the panel suggested deeper ties between Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby). In the footage, Storm reflects on Doom’s tragic past, noting how everything he loved was taken from him. Richards later confronts Doom, questioning his role in the chaos surrounding them. Downey Jr., appearing on stage, humorously remarked that Reed and Doom were “besties.” This comment came amid ongoing fan curiosity about their relationship, fueled by the post-credits scene in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which featured Doom in Reed and Storm’s home with their infant child. The cast of Doomsday included Wright, Duke, Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Simu Liu, Danny Ramirez, Anthony Mackie, James Marsden, Kelsey Gramm, Paul Rudd, Rebecca Romijn, David Harbour, Lewis Pullman, and Tenoch Huerta. Ryan Reynolds, dressed in a new gray Deadpool costume, surprised attendees by crashing the panel from the audience. Making a joke about his presence, he quipped, “Longtime listener. First time caller,” and asked Paul Rudd why Thor was crying in the previous film. Rudd humorously replied, “He’s a Wrexham fan,” referencing Reynolds’ ownership of the soccer club. Reynolds continued with a playful jab at the expense of the event, asking, “When do you start filming?” to which Downey Jr. retorted, “It’s in the can, bro! Did you bump your head?” Despite the excitement, Marvel faces challenges in revitalizing its brand, which has suffered from an overload of Disney+ content and underperforming theatrical releases. Recent films like Captain America: Brave New World received lukewarm reviews, contributing to a decline in audience interest in superhero movies. However, anticipation for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set for release on July 31, remains high, with strong pre-sale numbers indicating optimism for its performance. Another notable revelation was Ryan Gosling’s return to the Marvel universe, this time partnering with director Shawn Levy on Ghost Rider. Gosling expressed enthusiasm for the role, recalling his fondness for the character. His longtime partner, Eva Mendes, previously appeared alongside Nicolas Cage in the original Ghost Rider film, released in 2007, just a year before Iron Man launched the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe. Levy, reflecting on his previous appearances at Comic-Con, praised the fanbase for their unwavering support.