British actor David Jonsson will play Prince T'Challa II in the upcoming film Black Panther 3 [1].

The casting represents a pivotal shift for the Marvel franchise as it introduces the grown-up son of the original Black Panther to lead the series. This move allows the narrative to continue the legacy of the character after the original T'Challa died [1, 3].

The announcement took place during the Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 [2, 3]. During the event, it was revealed that Jonsson will portray the character, also referred to as Toussaint [1].

Marvel has scheduled the theatrical release of Black Panther 3 for December 2028 [1, 3]. While some reports refer to the project as Black Panther III [2], the core focus remains the introduction of the next generation of Wakandan leadership.

Jonsson's role as the adult version of T'Challa II marks a time jump in the series' chronology. By casting a grown version of the prince, the studio can explore the complexities of ruling Wakanda while honoring the memory of the previous king.

The decision to cast Jonsson follows the tradition of bringing in established international talent to fill key roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The project will continue to build on the cultural impact of the previous films while pivoting toward a new protagonist.

“David Jonsson will play Prince T'Challa II in the upcoming film Black Panther 3”

The introduction of a grown-up T'Challa II suggests that Marvel is moving toward a legacy-based storytelling model for the Black Panther franchise. By skipping ahead in the timeline to feature an adult successor, the studio can maintain the character's power dynamic and leadership role without relying on the original actor's likeness or a direct replacement of the deceased character.