Denzel Washington confirmed he will appear in the upcoming Black Panther 3, marking a significant addition to the Marvel franchise. 

While promoting Gladiator II on Australia’s “TODAY” show, Washington revealed that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is writing a role specifically for him in the next installment. “For me, it’s about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best,” he said. “I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”

Washington explained that his acting career is nearing its end, and Black Panther 3 will be one of his final projects. Alongside his role in the Marvel sequel, his upcoming work includes a collaboration with Steve McQueen, a Shakespeare adaptation of Othello, and a production of King Lear.

“I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70,” the 69-year-old actor continued. “After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m going to do the film Othello. After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”

While Marvel hasn’t officially announced Black Panther 3, fans are anticipating it, given the massive success of the previous films. Washington’s role in the film adds another layer of meaning, as the late Chadwick Boseman, the original Black Panther star, once credited Washington for helping him pursue acting.

“There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington,” Boseman said in 2019 while honoring Washington with the AFI Life Achievement Award. “The daily battles won, the thousand territories gained, the many sacrifices you made for the culture on film sets through your career, the things you refused to compromise along the way lay the blueprints for us to follow.”