Angela Bassett Approves David Jonsson as Marvel’s Next Black Panther

Wakanda has faced its share of challenges on screen, and few performances have conveyed that sorrow as powerfully as Angela Bassett’s portrayal of Queen Ramonda across two ‘Black Panther’ films. Her role in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘ made history as the first performance in a Marvel movie to receive an Oscar nomination, establishing her as one of the franchise’s most esteemed figures both on and off the screen.

This legacy is why fans have been eagerly anticipating her thoughts on Marvel’s latest developments. In July, director Ryan Coogler took the Hall H stage at San Diego Comic-Con with Kevin Feige to announce that David Jonsson would take on the role of an adult Prince T’Challa II, the son introduced in the final moments of ‘Wakanda Forever.’

Now, several months after that announcement made waves online, Bassett has publicly shared her thoughts on the casting, reigniting excitement among fans. At the red carpet premiere of ‘American Horror Story’ season thirteen, Bassett expressed her joy to ScreenRant, noting that she was thrilled as a fan and recognized that audiences shared her enthusiasm.

Bassett’s excitement went beyond mere enthusiasm. She elaborated on her eagerness to see what Jonsson brings to the role, calling the casting news thrilling and emphasizing that her support was genuine and heartfelt. When asked if the newcomer had her approval as “auntie,” a reference to Michael B. Jordan’s iconic Killmonger line from the original ‘Black Panther,’ Bassett affirmed that he indeed does.

This “auntie” reference holds significant meaning for longtime fans, connecting Jonsson’s entry to one of the series’ most memorable moments. It also indicates that Bassett, despite Ramonda’s death in ‘Wakanda Forever,’ remains deeply invested in the future of the Wakanda narrative.

Jonsson’s casting fills a role that Marvel has been carefully developing since Nakia revealed that she and T’Challa had a son before his passing, a revelation saved for the film’s closing moments. Rather than recasting the original T’Challa, the studio chose to honor Chadwick Boseman’s legacy by having Shuri, portrayed by Letitia Wright, assume the mantle temporarily while subtly paving the way for the next generation to eventually take charge.

Coogler, who will direct the threequel, hinted at Comic-Con that the character introduced as a child has now matured, setting the stage for Jonsson’s live-action debut. Wright and Winston Duke’s M’Baku are confirmed to return for the film, and Denzel Washington has also joined the cast in an undisclosed role.

Whether Bassett will appear alongside Jonsson remains uncertain, as Ramonda’s death in ‘Wakanda Forever’ would necessitate a narrative workaround for her return. With ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ expected to reset aspects of the MCU timeline rather than reboot it entirely, some fans speculate this could allow for Ramonda to play a role in the story, though nothing has been confirmed.

‘Black Panther 3’ is currently slated for a theatrical release on December 15, 2028, with no trailer date announced yet and filming not expected to commence until 2027. Jonsson, a RADA-trained actor known for ‘Industry,’ ‘Rye Lane,’ ‘Alien: Romulus,’ and ‘The Long Walk,’ now faces the added pressure of stepping into one of Marvel’s most cherished franchises with the endorsement of its reigning queen.

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