KEY POINT
- Bassett said there is “always a chance” and “always hope” for Ramonda’s return.
- Marvel has confirmed David Jonsson as the adult T’Challa II for the third film.
- Black Panther 3 is scheduled to reach theaters on Dec. 15, 2028.
Bassett addressed Ramonda’s future during an appearance on Good Morning America, where she was asked whether audiences could see the Wakandan queen again. Rather than confirming a comeback, the actor kept the possibility open, saying, “There’s always a chance. There’s always hope.”
The response is notable because Ramonda’s death remains one of the defining events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The character died while protecting Riri Williams during Namor’s attack, leaving Shuri and Wakanda to deal with the loss of their queen.
Bassett’s performance in the sequel also became a milestone for Marvel. Her work earned her an Academy Award nomination for supporting actress, making her the first performer from a Marvel film to receive an Oscar acting nomination.
The franchise has already established a narrative route through which deceased characters can appear without reversing their deaths. The Ancestral Plane, a spiritual realm connected to Wakanda’s heart shaped herb, previously allowed T’Challa to encounter his father, T’Chaka.
Wakanda Forever expanded that storytelling device when Shuri encountered Erik Killmonger there. That precedent provides an established connection between living Wakandans and characters who have died.
Marvel Studios revealed at San Diego Comic-Con in July that David Jonsson will portray the adult T’Challa II in the third installment. Ryan Coogler is returning as director, while Letitia Wright and Winston Duke are also set to reprise their roles as Shuri and M’Baku.
The film has been given a Dec. 15, 2028, theatrical release date. Marvel has not confirmed Bassett as part of the cast for the movie.
The next film therefore has two distinct elements already established: a new generation represented by T’Challa II and returning characters connected to Wakanda’s earlier story. Bassett’s comments add another unanswered question without establishing that Ramonda will physically return.
Bassett has also publicly welcomed Jonsson’s casting as the adult T’Challa II. Her comments about Ramonda, however, stop short of confirming any involvement in the upcoming film.
For now, Marvel has confirmed the film, its director, several returning cast members and Jonsson’s new role. Bassett’s possible appearance remains unconfirmed, leaving the nature of any Ramonda connection to the story unresolved.
