Charlamagne Tha God Has One Suggestion For 'Black Panther 3' Star David Jonsson

BY Erika Marie
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Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlamagne tha God in attendance during South Carolina Gamecocks game against the UCLA Bruins in the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Jonsson's debut as the next Black Panther sparked laughs after Charlamagne Tha God joked the actor needs to bulk up before filming.

The conversation surrounding Black Panther 3 has barely begun, but Charlamagne Tha God already has one suggestion for its new leading man. During Monday's episode of The Breakfast Club, the radio host joked that David Jonsson has some work to do before stepping into one of Marvel's most physically demanding roles.

Discussing Jonsson's casting as T'Challa II, Charlamagne laughed that the British actor needed to bulk up and hit the gym before filming begins. "Now, I will say that young man needs more protein, okay?" he said. "He need to do some more push-ups. He got to get in the superhero shape."  The comment drew laughs from co-hosts, who agreed that superhero transformations rarely happen overnight and that Jonsson will almost certainly undergo an intensive training program before cameras start rolling.

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The lighthearted exchange followed Marvel Studios' major reveal at San Diego Comic-Con, where director Ryan Coogler officially introduced Jonsson as the next Black Panther. Rather than recasting the original T'Challa following Chadwick Boseman's death in 2020, the franchise has continued to build its story around T'Challa's son, Prince T'Challa II, who was introduced at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Jonsson will now take over that role as the character comes of age and assumes the mantle of Wakanda's protector.

Coogler has described Jonsson as his choice for the part, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for one of Marvel's most culturally significant franchises. Black Panther became a landmark moment in blockbuster filmmaking, while Wakanda Forever shifted its focus to legacy and the future of the kingdom after Boseman's passing. The third installment is expected to continue that evolution rather than revisit the original hero's story.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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