Denzel Washington Doesn’t Know ‘How Many More Films’ He’ll Make — but ‘Black Panther 3’ Is One of the Last

"Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ After that, I’m going to do the film ‘Othello.’ After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”

November 22 will be a massive day for Denzel Washington. His role in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” has thrust him into the heart of the Oscar race for Best Supporting Actor, and the film opens in theaters on the same day his son Malcolm Washington’s “The Piano Lesson,” which he produced, streams on Netflix.

But even with his recent hot streak, Washington is eyeing an exit strategy from the film industry. In a recent appearance on Australian “Today” (via Variety), the two-time Oscar winner explained that he has become extremely selective about roles in the final chapter of his career.

“For me, it’s about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best,” Washington said. “I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”

Washington went on to list the projects that he plans to tackle before retiring, including his upcoming Broadway engagement of “Othello” alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, and Antoine Fuqua’s untitled Hannibal epic for Netflix. But he also dropped some major news for superhero fans when he revealed that Ryan Coogler is planning to include him in a third “Black Panther” movie.

“I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70,” he said. “After that, I am playing Hannibal. After 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 going to do the film ‘Othello,’ After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”

“Black Panther 3” has not been formally announced by Marvel, though many have expected it due to the overwhelming success of the first two films. Coogler has been busy with “Sinners,” his period vampire saga starring Michael B. Jordan as twins that is set to release in March 2025. But Washington’s news suggests that he is still involved with the “Black Panther” franchise and could return to direct the third film.