Director Ryan Coogler has officially provided the news fans have been eagerly awaiting, confirming that work on the highly anticipated “Black Panther 3” is now underway. Following the emotional and critically acclaimed success of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Coogler’s return to the fictional nation of Wakanda marks the start of a new chapter for the franchise, promising to continue the legacy of the Black Panther mantle within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Officially in Motion: Ryan Coogler Confirms Early Work on ‘Black Panther 3’

Coogler delivered the definitive update on the future of the “Black Panther” franchise, confirming that the third installment is officially in the works and, moreover, will be his next feature film.

The highly-anticipated announcement was made during an interview in the context of Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event today. When pressed on the status of the sequel, Coogler put all speculation to rest, stating simply, “We’re working on it.”

The confirmation comes as a significant scoop from the annual event, which gathers a lineup of the season’s most talked-about films and their creators for awards consideration. The interview took place amidst a roster of films vying for Oscar attention, including titles like “After the Hunt,” “Blue Moon,” and “Sentimental Value.”

Coogler’s presence at this prestigious industry gathering allowed him to leverage the platform to share the exciting news, ensuring that the revelation of “Black Panther 3” entering active development would capture the attention of industry insiders and fans alike.

Coogler’s personal commitment to directing “Black Panther 3” next underscores the significance of the franchise to Marvel’s cinematic future. Having successfully navigated the complex and emotional production of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the director’s dedication promises a strong vision for the continuing story of Shuri and the newly established world dynamics following the introduction of Namor.

While details on the plot and cast remain sparse—beyond the already-confirmed involvement of Denzel Washington—the news solidifies that fans will soon be returning to Wakanda under the stewardship of the director who launched the cinematic phenomenon.