Actor Denzel Washington revealed during a Today show interview that he’ll be playing the part of Hannibal in the upcoming Black Panther 3 movie for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Discussing his future plans, the 69-year-old actor added that “I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m gonna do the film Othello. After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”

Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, is known for his roles in The Equalizer, Flight, Glory, Malcolm X, Man on Fire, and Training Day. He also appears in Spike Lee’s High and Low, an upcoming adaptation of a 1963 film by Akira Kurosawa. Washington will also be seen in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, which will make its debut next week.

Based on the Marvel Comics created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Black Panther films were directed by Ryan Coogler, who is expected to direct the upcoming movie. Marvel hasn’t yet confirmed the news officially but the development is not surprising given the critical and commercial success of the first two Black Panther offerings. The original film in 2018 starring the late Chadwick Boseman, earned more than $1 billion globally, while the second installment, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, earned more than $800 million. Angela Bassett, who played Queen Ramonda in that second film, won a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress.

According to the synopsis of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: “Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.”

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