On January 6, Marvel Studios released a new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, reigniting excitement among fans with teases of the X-Men’s long-anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, ahead of the official release, clips allegedly taken from an unreleased trailer began circulating online.
The leaked footage reportedly included appearances from the Fantastic Four as well as characters from the Black Panther franchise.
Letitia Wright’s return as the Black Panther
According to the leaked trailer, Letitia Wright is set to reprise her role as Shuri. Wright assumed the mantle of Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, following the death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020.
Boseman portrayed King T’Challa across several Marvel films before passing away at age 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.
Both the actor and the character were honored in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Marvel previously stated it would not immediately recast the role.
So, why is Damson Idris speculated to be the next Black Panther?
Despite Wright’s continued presence in the franchise, online speculation has turned toward British-Nigerian actor Damson Idris as a potential future Black Panther.
Idris rose to prominence through his starring role in the crime drama Snowfall and has since expanded into major film projects, including the F1 movie.
Fans are speculating that Marvel could reintroduce T’Challa through a recast, a multiverse variant, or a time-shifted storyline in Black Panther 3.
Idris responds to the rumors
However, Idris addressed the speculation during an appearance on NBC’s Today in 2025.
When co-anchor Craig Melvin asked whether he had discussed playing Black Panther, Idris replied cryptically: “Yes-no!” Pressed further, he joked that it “could mean no,” stopping short of any confirmation.
When asked directly whether he would accept the role if offered, Idris responded plainly: “Yes.”
The rumors intensified after Idris reacted to a post on X claiming he had “reportedly turned down the role of Black Panther.”
In a sarcastic reply that was later deleted, he wrote that he had also turned down James Bond, a co-lead with Daniel Day-Lewis, and an Eddie Murphy biopic – suggesting the report was untrue.
Speculation about recasting T’Challa resurfaced in 2025 following an industry report suggesting Marvel was reconsidering its stance. However, the studio has made no official announcement regarding Black Panther 3, its cast, or the future of the T’Challa character.
For now, Damson Idris’s involvement remains unconfirmed, and Wright is the only actor publicly known to be continuing the Black Panther legacy within the MCU.
