'Black Panther 3' to Release in 70mm IMAX and IMAX

Disney and Marvel Studios have solidified their theatrical calendar, locking in a December 15, 2028 debut for Black Panther III. Beyond setting the premiere timing, studio heads revealed plans for an ambitious global rollout that incorporates specialized IMAX 70mm celluloid screenings in addition to standard digital venues.

The decision brings large-format analog filmmaking back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe spotlight. Writer-director Ryan Coogler, who guided the previous two installments in the franchise, is returning to helm the third chapter with a camera strategy engineered around full-aspect-ratio projection systems.

Production accounts indicate that key narrative roles are taking shape alongside the technical preparations. David Jonsson has signed on to play the son of King T’Challa, sharing top billing with returning franchise leads Letitia Wright and Winston Duke as the story explores the next generation of Wakandan leadership.

Everything you need to know about Avengers: Doomsday

The villain of the fifth Avengers film will be Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., the actor who portrayed the legendary Iron Man in the MCU's Infinity Saga and now takes on the role of antagonist. Avengers: Doomsday will be directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo (Endgame), with a script by Michael Waldron (Loki) and Stephen McFeely (Endgame).

Marvel has already confirmed the main cast members for the new film, in one of the biggest gatherings of MCU stars ever assembled. Returning from previous Avengers films are: Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Winston Duke as M'Baku, and Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther.

From characters introduced after Avengers: Endgame — in phases 4 and 5 of the MCU — we have Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Danny Ramirez as Falcon, the entire new Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing), nearly the entire cast of Thunderbolts* (Florence Pugh as Yelena, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Lewis Pullman as Bob, the Sentry), and Tenoch Huerta as Namor.

In a livestream announcing the cast, there was also the film's biggest surprise so far: the return of the classic X-Men from the old Fox movies, including Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and, introduced in Deadpool & Wolverine, Channing Tatum as Gambit.

Avengers: Doomsday opens on December 18, 2026.