Denzel Washington has announced he will appear in *Black Panther 3* before stepping away from acting.

At 69, Washington is the first to confirm a third installment of the hit Marvel series, following the 2018 original and *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* in 2022. He revealed it will be among his final roles as he concludes a career spanning over 40 years.

In an interview with Australia’s *Today* show, Denzel shared that director Ryan Coogler has crafted a specific role for him in the upcoming film. He explained, “At this stage in my career, I’m focused on working with the best. I don’t expect to do many more films. I want to try roles I haven’t yet explored.”

Discussing his final projects, he said, “I played Othello at 22, and now I’ll play him at 70. After that, I’ll be portraying Hannibal, and I’ve also been talking with Steve McQueen about a new film. Then, Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next *Black Panther*. Following that, I’ll take on Othello again, then King Lear, and then retire.”

The late Chadwick Boseman, who starred as Black Panther before his passing in 2020, once remarked, “There is no *Black Panther* without Denzel Washington.” Honoring that sentiment, Coogler’s casting of Washington pays homage to Boseman, who credited Denzel with supporting his acting education early on.

In a 2019 tribute for the AFI Life Achievement Award, Boseman praised Washington’s impact: “We, my whole cast, stand on your shoulders. The battles won, the sacrifices made, and the cultural legacy you’ve built in this industry pave the way for us.”

In August, Denzel mentioned he had “very few films” left that interest him, noting that after his role in *Gladiator II*, there are few projects that truly inspire him. He told *Empire*, “I need to be motivated by the director, and Ridley Scott was a tremendous inspiration.”

At the American Black Film Festival in June, he highlighted his growing passion for work behind the camera, saying, “My professional focus now is as much on directing and producing as on acting. I expect to spend less and less time in front of the camera.”

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Instagram/Denzel Washington