As David Jonsson prepared to take over the role of Black Panther in the third installment of the Black Panther series, he received important advice and support from fellow series member Winston Duke. The 32-year-old London-born actor was announced as the new lead in Black Panther 3 during a presentation in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. Winston Duke, who plays the ferocious warrior M’Baku, emphasized his desire to continue the same grace and security he felt when he first joined the “Black Panther” universe.According to Deadline, Winston Duke revealed that he spoke to David Jonson for the first time at Comic-Con earlier in the day. The veteran actor reflects on his experience joining the series and his commitment to helping guide Jonson through this important career moment.
Winston Duke stresses tolerance and support for David Jonson’s transition to Black Panther
Winston Duke shared his mentorship with David Jonsson when he first spoke to him at Comic-Con. “I wanted to show him a favor to me. Black Panther was my first film, and I was asked to create something really cool, full of elegance and security,” Duke told the outlet. “I want him to know that we’re here to support, we’re here to help, we’re here to strengthen, we’re here to support him so he can do his best work.“
Winston Duke welcomes David Jonsson to the Black Panther family at San Diego Comic-Con and provides support as David Jonsson prepares to take on the iconic superhero role in Black Panther 3. Image source (Instagram)
The veteran actor’s message to David Jonson was simple yet inspiring. “I don’t want to say anything else but ‘Let’s play,'” explains Duke, who captured the collaborative spirit of the Black Panther films under Coogler’s direction.
David Jonson plays Prince T’Challa II in “Black Panther 3”
On July 25, Ryan Coogler officially announced David Jonsson as the new Black Panther during his presentation in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. Coogler enthusiastically introduced David Johnson to the assembled crowd, welcoming him to the team along with Kevin Fitch, Letitia Wright and Winston Duke.“I wish you a warm welcome to our new Black Panther: Mr. David J. Johnson,” Coogler announced to thunderous applause. David Jonson took the stage to express his gratitude. “Thank you Ryan. Thank you Kevin. Thank you to this amazing family that I have the privilege of joining,” he said.
David Jonson’s trajectory from TV to major franchise roles
The London-born actor rose to fame playing Gus Saki in the hit series “Industry,” before winning critical acclaim for his performance in the 2023 romantic comedy “Rye Lane.” Most recently, David Jonson starred in the 2024 science fiction film Alien: Romulus and the 2025 adaptation of the Stephen King thriller The Long Walk. Director Ryan Coogler specifically mentioned “The Long Walk” when introducing David Jonson on stage.In 2025, David Jonsson won the BAFTA Rising Star Award, establishing his credentials as one of the industry’s most promising young talents.
Black Panther 3 continues the beloved superhero franchise, with David Jonsson thrust into the spotlight as Wakanda’s next protector. Image source (Instagram)
Black Panther 3 continues the legacy of groundbreaking superhero series“Black Panther 3” will be released in theaters on December 15, 2028. The original Black Panther movie was released in 2018 and became a cultural phenomenon. Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa made him the first black superhero to lead a major studio film. Starring Forest Whitaker, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett and Lupita Nyong’o, the film earned three of its seven Oscar nominations.Ryan Coogler returns as director, with Letitia Wright reprising her role as Shuri and Winston Duke reprising his role as M’Baku, now the newly appointed king of Wakanda. Coogler’s commitment to the franchise comes after he won the Best Picture Oscar for vampire movie “The Sinner” earlier this year.The addition of David Jonsson represents both a continuation of that legacy and a new chapter in the Black Panther saga, with the actor inheriting the responsibility of honoring Boseman’s transformative work while establishing his own interpretation of the character.