Denzel Washington is one of the greatest actors of all time, so the mere idea of him joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe is enough to send fans into a frenzy. Recently, Washington revealed that ‘Black Panther 3‘ will be one of his final roles before stepping away from acting.
This adds even more weight to his potential character. Additionally, while Marvel has kept his role tightly under wraps, strong rumors suggest he might be playing one of Wakanda’s most dangerous enemies: Achebe.
Denzel Washington Is The Perfect Fit For Achebe
If the rumors are true, Denzel Washington playing Achebe would be a dream casting choice. Washington has portrayed powerful, manipulative villains before. Moreover, Achebe is no ordinary antagonist; he’s a cunning, politically motivated genius who thrives on deception and chaos.
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That kind of role, played by Washington, could be a game-changer for ‘Black Panther 3’. Washington’s involvement in the film was initially leaked during an interview while promoting ‘Gladiator II’. He casually mentioned that Ryan Coogler was “writing a part” for him in the new film.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly apologized to Coogler while talking to Variety. However, the damage was done and Marvel had to confirm that ‘Black Panther 3’ was indeed in development. Following this slip, industry insiders and scoopers began speculating about Washington’s role. However, Achebe is the most likely candidate.
According to MyTimeToShine, Washington will portray Reverend Doctor Michael Ibn al-Hajj Achebe, a master manipulator with a dark past. In the comics, Achebe is a refugee who secretly orchestrates the war that forces his people to flee. He uses their suffering as a political weapon with the main goal of overthrowing Wakanda’s leadership.
‘Black Panther 3’ Might Also Introduce A New T’Challa
Ever since Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing in 2020, Marvel Studios has been hesitant to recast T’Challa. Instead, Wakanda Forever handled his absence by writing his death into the story. Additionally, Marvel President Kevin Feige even went as far as to say that the character would not ever be recast.
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However, five years later, the tides may be shifting. According to entertainment insider Jeff Sneider, Marvel is actively considering recasting T’Challa, but with a multiversal twist. The report suggests that a variant of T’Challa could be introduced, one from an alternate universe, rather than a direct replacement for Boseman’s version.
This way, Marvel can honor Boseman’s legacy while also bringing T’Challa back into the fold. Interestingly, the new T’Challa may not debut in the upcoming Avengers films. Instead, sources suggest that ‘Black Panther 3’ will serve as the introduction for this character.
