Winston Duke backs David Jonsson as the new Black Panther: 'I trust him'

Winston Duke has thrown his support behind David Jonsson after Marvel Studios officially announced that the Alien: Romulus star will take on the mantle of Black Panther in the franchise's third instalment.

Jonsson was unveiled as the adult Prince T'Challa II during Marvel Studios' panel at San Diego Comic-Con, where director Ryan Coogler confirmed that the son of the late King T'Challa will lead the next chapter of Wakanda's story.

Speaking to Variety, Duke, who returns as M'Baku in the upcoming sequel, expressed complete confidence in his new co-star.

"I trust him as an artist. I also trust the journey he's been on," Duke said. "He's an incredible actor, and I think audiences are going to be really excited by what he brings."

Duke said Jonsson's casting represents an exciting evolution for the franchise, adding that the actor has the talent and emotional depth needed to honour the legacy established by the late Chadwick Boseman while taking the story in a new direction.

Ryan Coogler confirmed that Black Panther 3 will focus on the coming-of-age story of Prince T'Challa II, who was first introduced as a child at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Rather than recasting Boseman's T'Challa, the film will explore the next generation of Wakanda through his son.

Jonsson appeared visibly emotional as he joined Coogler, Duke and Letitia Wright on stage at Comic-Con, describing the opportunity as "an honour" and thanking the cast and filmmakers for welcoming him into the Marvel family.

Marvel also confirmed that Letitia Wright will reprise her role as Shuri alongside Duke, while Ryan Coogler returns to write and direct the sequel. Black Panther 3 is scheduled to open in cinemas on December 15, 2028.

Duke's endorsement comes as fans continue to debate how the franchise will move forward following Boseman's death in 2020. By publicly backing Jonsson, the actor suggested that the future of Black Panther is in capable hands, with the story now shifting from preserving a legacy to building a new one.