Black Panther fans agree: David Jonsson is their pick for T'Challa II

In case you somehow missed the Comic-Con headlines, Marvel Studios just pulled off one of their properly hush-hush casting reveals with David Jonsson stepping into the mantle of T'Challa II for the next Black Panther installment. The internet, predictably, went wild—mostly in the positive column, but there’s always someone keen to remind you who wore the suit before. Let’s unpack the reveal, what went on behind the scenes, and why fans are saying Jonsson’s casting just makes sense.

The Secret Casting

Marvel’s notorious for keeping things under wraps, but even by their standards, this Black Panther move was sly. The announcement came direct from Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige at Comic-Con 2026—Jonsson is officially the adult version of Prince T'Challa, son of Chadwick Boseman’s original character and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o). Feige admitted the studio sat on the decision for six months before anyone outside their circle got a sniff.

Coogler told Feige after meeting Jonsson in secret: 'He’s the guy, he’s the guy, I felt it. I felt it in my soul. He’s a good man, and he is the next Black Panther.'

The story is, Coogler clocked Jonsson as his pick months before Marvel even started their formal search, tracking him down for a quiet chat in a hotel. By the time he rang up Feige, he was convinced—and apparently, his passion did the trick. Feige later told Empire the director's conviction 'made the decision straightforward.'

Fan Reactions & Social Media

If anyone doubted Marvel fans would have an opinion, you’ve clearly never logged onto Twitter after an MCU reveal. Reactions came thick and fast, with plenty singling out Jonsson’s previous credits—like Rye Lane, Alien: Romulus, The Long Walk, and the TV series Industry—as proof he’s up for the challenge. Among the frequently repeated takes: his resemblance to the late Chadwick Boseman and that Marvel have nailed the casting.

• One fan said they 'really liked his acting in Romulus and The Long Walk movie,' backing the choice.
• Another said Jonsson and Boseman 'could easily pass as brothers' and called it 'great casting.'
• Some got openly sentimental—'Happy for David' and 'Wakanda forever and ever, you'll stay in my heart,'—though of course, a few reminded everyone that it’ll never be quite the same without Boseman in the mask.

To top it off, Letitia Wright and Winston Duke joined Jonsson on stage for the reveal, with Hall H giving the new king of Wakanda a hero’s welcome.

Black Panther III is due in cinemas on 15 December 2028, just a year after Avengers: Secret Wars.

Jonsson’s profile has been climbing for a while, but this is as high-profile as it gets. Not every day you see a bloke plucked by the director’s gut feeling and set to lead one of Marvel’s top franchises.