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Denzel Washington has revealed he called director Ryan Coogler to apologize after revealing his involvement in the third Black Panther film before official confirmation.
The 69-year-old veteran disclosed last month that he would join the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbuster, one of his final projects before retirement. During Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, Denzel Washington admitted, “Ryan’s a genius. I called him and apologized for talking about the movie, and right there sitting with him was his beautiful wife. He’s still Ryan—humble and full of ideas. Whatever he writes, I’ll read.”
The new film follows Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and the original Black Panther (2018). Denzel Washington, reflecting on his career spanning four decades, noted he has just a few projects left. Speaking to Australia’s Today show, he said: “At this point, I’m only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’ll make—probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
Denzel Washington teased upcoming roles, saying, “I played Othello at 22; I’m now going to play it at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal and talking with Steve McQueen about a film. Then, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’ll do King Lear, and then I’ll retire.”
Washington also confirmed plans to star in The Equalizer 4 and 5, continuing his successful action franchise. In Esquire, he explained, “I told them I’d do another Equalizer, and we’re doing four and five. More people are happy about that—people love those doggone Equalizers.” He added that the films resonate with audiences: “They want me to go get the bad guys. I say, ‘Okay, I’ll get them! Just wait right there.”
