It has been more than five years since the world lost Chadwick Boseman, as one of the most beloved stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe passed away at the age of 43. While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever saw T’Challa die, it led to Shuri becoming the next person to pick up the mantle in the MCU timeline.
In a new interview with Time, the outlet spoke to Damson Idris about the speculation surrounding him taking on the role of T’Challa in the MCU franchise. However, the F1 star simply said, “No, no. I don’t know anything about it [Laughs].”
The Idris theories got more fuel as of late during a recent Vogue World: Hollywood event, where Angela Bassett, along with Black Panther actors Danai Gurira and Teyana Taylor, appeared dressed as their characters, celebrating the fashion from their MCU franchise. Idris was spotted at one point walking with the Queen Ramonda star down the runway, which is what re-sparked the recasting speculation.
Idris has previously spoken on the idea of becoming the new Black Panther in the MCU, during an interview with TODAY on June 18, 2025, where he also had a very cryptic response. During a session of “Yes or No,” this is how his Marvel comments went:
Damson Idris: [Groans] Yes-no!
Craig Melvin: By the way, the Yes-No means yes!
Damson Idris: It could mean no! [Laughs]
Craig Melvin: If they asked, would you say yes?
Damson Idris: Yes.
With The Multiverse Saga, they could always have Idris play a T’Challa variant from another universe, especially as Phase 6 is leading up to Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. However, that’s not the only way for the actor to take on the iconic superhero.
As the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ending introduced T’Challa and Nakia’s son, Toussaint/T’Challa II, it set up the possibility of seeing a grown-up version of their kid becoming Black Panther in the future. Through time-travel, Idris could play the adult iteration.
In terms of upcoming MCU movies featuring Black Panther, Letitia Wright is reprising the role in Avengers: Doomsday, which wrapped principal photography on September 19, 2025. It remains to be seen if she will be part of the Avengers: Secret Wars cast.
The MCU is set to return in 2026 with Disney+’s Wonder Man TV show in January, while Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31, before Avengers: Doomsday opens on December 18.
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Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Brie Larson, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Josh Brolin, Karen Gillan, Clark Gregg, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Simu Liu, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Barry Keoghan, Gemma Chan, Ma Dong-seok, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Jonathan Majors