Denzel Washington is nearing a significant milestone in his illustrious career as he contemplates retirement, but not before making a memorable entry into the world of Wakanda. In a revealing interview with Australia’s “Today” show, the acclaimed Oscar-winning star of “Gladiator II,” now 69 years old, disclosed his intentions regarding his film career and hinted at a potential collaboration with the “Black Panther” franchise.
Washington expressed that he does not foresee himself making “that many” more movies in the future. He mentioned that following a series of upcoming projects, he is planning to retire, stating emphatically, “I’m going to retire.” This declaration was accompanied by an exciting revelation: “Ryan Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.'” This announcement has generated a flurry of speculation among fans and industry insiders alike, although it remains important to note that Washington’s alleged involvement in a third installment of “Black Panther” has yet to be officially confirmed. Additionally, the production status of the film is still unannounced, as is Coogler’s potential return as director, especially considering his current focus on an outside project—a horror film titled “Sinners,” featuring Michael B. Jordan, which is set for release in March.
Washington is currently drawing significant attention for his portrayal of Macrinus in “Gladiator II,” the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning film. In his conversation with “Today,” Washington outlined his upcoming projects that include iconic roles such as Othello, Hannibal, and King Lear, and more intriguingly, he will participate in a film from acclaimed director Steve McQueen, known for “12 Years a Slave.” Furthermore, he is expected to collaborate again with legendary filmmaker Spike Lee on an upcoming film under the A24 banner.
Should Washington’s involvement in “Black Panther” materialize, it would mark his much-anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The “Training Day” star has previously shared his admiration for the original “Black Panther” film, stating in a heartfelt 2018 interview with JOE that he was deeply moved, even shedding tears while watching it.
Following the heartbreaking passing of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed King T’Challa, the “Black Panther” franchise continued in 2022 with the release of “Wakanda Forever.” This sequel poignantly addressed the loss of Boseman’s character and transitioned the superhero legacy to his sister, Shuri (played by Letitia Wright). In a June appearance on “The View,” Wright hinted at the future of “Black Panther 3” and her role in upcoming “Avengers” films, indicating, “There’s a lot coming up,” though she remained coy about specifics.
Washington has previously discussed the possibility of retirement, articulating in an interview with Empire magazine that he feels his opportunities to work on films that inspire him are dwindling: “There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley (Scott).”
While Denzel Washington has not yet appeared in the “Black Panther” series, he does share a poignant connection with the franchise’s late star, Chadwick Boseman. Washington played a pivotal role in producing “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which was Boseman’s final film before his untimely death. During a tribute event at the American Film Institute in 2019, Boseman recounted an inspiring anecdote, sharing how Washington had privately paid for his tuition, along with eight other students’, for an acting program at the British American Drama Academy.
“Imagine receiving a letter that your tuition for that summer was paid for, and that your benefactor was none other than the dopest actor on the planet,” Boseman reflected. He concluded with a profound sentiment, stating, “There is no ‘Black Panther’ without Denzel Washington,” highlighting the deep respect and impactful legacy Washington has within the film industry.
