Nollywood actor Tobi Bakre has reacted after fans suggested he would have been the perfect choice to take on the iconic role of Black Panther in Marvel Studios’ blockbuster franchise.
The conversation followed Marvel’s announcement that British actor David Jonsson will portray the new Black Panther in Black Panther 3, which is scheduled to premiere in December 2028.
As news of Jonsson’s casting spread across social media, one fan singled out Bakre as their preferred choice for the role, prompting the Nigerian actor to respond with humour.
Although Bakre did not suggest he was in contention for the part, his light-hearted reaction quickly caught fans’ attention, many of whom praised his charisma and screen presence while imagining what a Nigerian Black Panther might look like.
The announcement marks a new chapter for the Marvel franchise following the passing of Chadwick Boseman, whose portrayal of King T’Challa in the original Black Panther and other Marvel films earned global acclaim.
Rather than recasting Boseman’s version of the character, Marvel has chosen to move the story forward with Prince T’Challa, the son of the late king, who was introduced in the post-credits scene of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
David Jonsson, best known for his performances in Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk, will take on the mantle in the upcoming sequel, with Ryan Coogler returning as director. Letitia Wright is also set to reprise her role as Shuri alongside Winston Duke as M’Baku.
While the role has officially been filled, the online campaign for Bakre highlighted the admiration many Nigerian fans have for the actor, with some saying they would love to see him lead a major international superhero franchise in the future.
For now, Marvel’s next Black Panther has been chosen, but Bakre’s playful response has shown that fans are more than ready to imagine Nollywood stars taking on Hollywood’s biggest roles.
