Before becoming Marvel's new Black Panther, David Jonsson was a huge Chadwick Boseman fan who wore a dashiki to watch Black Panther in theaters. Here's what he said before landing the iconic role.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleDavid Jonsson's journey to Wakanda has come to a full-circle moment. Years before Marvel Studios announced the Industry and Alien: Romulus star as the new 'Black Panther', Jonsson was just another moviegoer eagerly waiting to watch Chadwick Boseman bring Wakanda to life on the big screen.
Like countless fans across the world, Jonsson celebrated the landmark 2018 film by dressing in traditional African attire with his friends, a memory that has resurfaced following his casting as 'T'Challa's grown son in Black Panther 3.
Long before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jonsson experienced Black Panther as a fan. During an appearance on the Straw Hat Goofy Podcast last year, the 32-year-old actor fondly remembered his experience watching Chadwick Boseman on the screen with close ones. Reflecting on the film's release, Jonsson revealed how he, his girlfriend, and his closest friends embraced the cultural celebration surrounding the blockbuster.
"I remember going to the theater when that movie came out. This is before I even started this whole journey that I'm on talking to you right now," Jonsson said.
Rather than simply buying tickets, the group decided to make the occasion even more memorable. "I remember getting my girlfriend at the time, all my best friends at the time. We got the dashikis, man." The actor recalled arriving at the theater to find they weren't the only ones who had the same idea. He shared:
"We'd go to our local theater, and everybody's got the dashikis on."
Jonsson said the same atmosphere extended beyond the U.S. He added, "We did the same thing in London. Yeah, man. Everyone turned up in traditional, and we sat down. We felt empowered." His comments have taken on a new meaning after Marvel officially confirmed that he will now carry forward the Wakandan legacy once made iconic by Boseman.
Jonsson inherits one of Marvel's most beloved roles following Chadwick Boseman's passing in 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer. Rather than recasting T'Challa, Marvel chose to honor Boseman's legacy in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, introducing the character's young son as the future of Wakanda. On July 25, 2026, during Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Marvel Studios unveiled Jonsson as the actor playing 'Toussaint', also known as 'T'Challa II'.
Director Ryan Coogler introduced the actor on stage alongside Letitia Wright and Winston Duke, confirming that Black Panther 3 will hit theaters on December 15, 2028. Jonsson, visibly emotional during the announcement, thanked the cast and filmmakers for welcoming him into the franchise. Appearing before the cheering crowd, he said, "Thank you to this family that I have the honor and the blessing to join. ... I don't want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking."
The upcoming film will follow 'King T'Challa and 'Nakia's son, 'Prince T’Challa II' (David Jonsson) after he was first introduced in the post-credit scene of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Coogler also revealed that the sequel will become the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to be shot entirely on large-format celluloid film.
For Jonsson, the opportunity carries extra significance because he wasn't just inspired by the Black Panther films. He was one of the millions of fans who felt empowered by Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of 'T'Challa' and the way the film celebrated African culture and identity.
Speaking of Jonsson’s career, the British actor has built a reputation as an actor of versatility and emotional depth. He broke into the mainstream in 2023 with the romantic comedy Rye Lane, playing the charming and witty 'Dom'. Before this, he earned massive praise as 'Gus Sackey' in HBO and BBC's finance drama Industry.
In 2024, Jonsson starred as ‘Andy’ in Alien: Romulus, and his performance has been praised as one of the best things about the film and won him the BAFTA Rising Star Award. And now, his casting in the Marvel family has social media abuzz with messages saying there couldn't have been a better choice to lead Wakanda's next chapter.
Are you excited to see how David Jonsson carries forward the Wakanda legacy after Chadwick Boseman?
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