Kevin Feige’s Gives An Update On ‘Black Panther 3’ And Has Marvel Fans Reading Between the Lines

Wakanda has been quiet for a while now. Since ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ closed out its story in 2022, fans have been left piecing together scraps of information about where Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios plan to take the franchise next, and the wait has only made the appetite grow stronger.

That hunger for updates collided with an unusually busy stretch for Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, who is currently juggling the final promotional push for ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ preparations for Marvel’s return to Hall H at San Diego Comic Con, and ongoing work on ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ which hits theaters this December. With so much on his plate, Feige has been fielding questions about virtually every corner of Marvel’s upcoming slate.

One of those questions finally landed on ‘Black Panther 3.’ When asked whether the sequel could realistically begin filming next year, Feige kept things characteristically vague, answering only “Maybe. Maybe.” It is a tiny sound bite, but for a franchise that has been operating almost entirely behind closed doors, even two words carry weight.

That noncommittal style is apparently nothing new for the studio boss. He gave an identical response when asked about casting updates for Jake Schreier’s upcoming X-Men film, suggesting both projects remain firmly in the planning stages rather than anywhere close to a formal announcement. It seems Feige has settled into a rhythm of teasing just enough to keep the conversation going without giving reporters anything concrete to run with.

Still, the project itself is not in doubt. Despite the lack of concrete details, ‘Black Panther 3’ has been confirmed as moving forward for some time now, with Ryan Coogler expected to return to direct the film, which is widely believed to be targeting a 2028 release window based on Marvel’s broader release calendar. That lines up with earlier reporting suggesting a February 18, 2028 release slot, with production expected to begin sometime in 2027.

Casting rumors have swirled around the project for over a year now, with Denzel Washington’s name attached to the sequel after he expressed interest in working with Coogler. Meanwhile, Letitia Wright’s Shuri remains the presumed center of the story following her transformation into the Black Panther mantle in ‘Wakanda Forever,’ a film that grossed 859 million dollars worldwide in 2022 and was considered a success in the post pandemic superhero landscape.

The timing of Feige’s comments is not a coincidence either. His Comic Con return carries extra significance given the studio’s absence from the panel last year, and his remarks hinted at the kind of surprises fans have come to expect from Marvel’s Hall H presentations, with Feige joking that the panel is always about saving a few reveals rather than tipping his hand early.

For now, ‘Black Panther 3’ remains one of the most anticipated mysteries in Marvel’s post ‘Secret Wars’ plans, with every hint from Feige treated like a puzzle piece by a fanbase desperate for closure. Does a “maybe, maybe” from Kevin Feige have you feeling hopeful about Wakanda’s future, or are you tired of waiting for a real update on ‘Black Panther 3’?