Denzel Washington seems to be nearing the end of his acting career, as the revered star has been hinting at retirement while promoting his latest film, Gladiator II. His comments suggest there’s not much more he wants to do as a thespian.

The late Chadwick Boseman once said, "There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington," and now the acting legend is set to join the MCU.

Marvel Studios has not officially announced a third Black Panther movie, though seven untitled Marvel films are scheduled on the Disney calendar between 2026 and 2028. In the more immediate future, Disney+ will release the animated Eyes of Wakanda series on Aug. 6, 2025 to expand the world of Black Panther's home nation.