Delroy Lindo Expresses Interest in ‘Black Panther 3,’ Discusses His Approach to Acting

Delroy Lindo, recently recognized with his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Delta Slim in Sinners, has revealed his desire to collaborate with director Ryan Coogler once again on Black Panther 3.

Conversation with Ryan Coogler

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Lindo shared that he initiated a conversation with Coogler about potentially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project. “I expressed to Ryan that if the stars line up, I would love to be in Black Panther 3,” Lindo stated. He added that Coogler responded with a thoughtful consideration, indicating he would only offer Lindo a role worthy of his talent. “He didn’t say exactly that, but that’s essentially the sentiment. And I respect that,” Lindo explained.

A Character Actor’s Philosophy

Lindo, whose career spans decades with memorable roles in films like Malcolm X, Crooklyn, The Harder They Fall, and Da 5 Bloods, doesn’t define himself as a leading man. “I have no desire to denigrate or take away from myself, but I don’t think of myself as a leading man; I think of myself as a character actor,” he said. His focus lies in deeply understanding and embodying the characters he portrays. “In terms of the space that I take up and that I work to fill on any project, I just think about how can I flesh out this character as much as possible and how can I most effectively fill the space that this character occupies in the script?”

‘Black Panther 3’ Development

Ryan Coogler is currently developing the script for Black Panther 3, a project he feels personally connected to. Plot details remain undisclosed, but Denzel Washington has been confirmed to be joining the cast in an as-yet-unspecified role. Rumors also suggest the story will explore a new iteration of T’Challa reclaiming the Black Panther mantle, alongside Letitia Wright’s Shuri.

Coogler’s Vision for the Sequel

Coogler has emphasized his commitment to justifying the creation of a third Black Panther film. “I’m not making movies to prove anything. I’m telling stories that I aim for to inform; that I’m obsessed with; that I perceive the burning desire to do,” he stated. He added, “Black Panther 3 is a movie that I’m incredibly excited about… It’s my job as a filmmaker to show why, it’s my job to answer that question.”