Black Panther 3 just got the perfect villain set up before the movie even has a confirmed release date. The story of Wakanda and its leaders has been one of the most compelling and intriguing parts of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since T’Challa first appeared in 2016s Captain America: Civil War.

And now, in the early stages of development for Black Panther 3, it appears that an ideal villain has just arrived on the scene. However, if this character is due to make an appearance in the upcoming theatrical release, it needs to follow some important details from the comics.

Black Panther’s 2025 Show Sets Up A Perfect Black Panther 3 Villain Choice

As mentioned above, Wakanda has become a pivotal part of the MCU, both because of the nation’s own history in the MCU timeline and because of the heroes who call it home. Exploring the story of Wakanda is fascinating, which is why Eyes of Wakanda is such a compelling project for the MCU.

The story goes back in time, to various points in history, and takes a closer look at how the Wakandan agents known as War Dogs have engaged with the wider world. In the very first episode, the series introduces a rogue Wakandan warrior who chose to betray his nation and use their technology to accumulate more power for himself.

The Lion was a former member of the Wakandan Royal Guard, and the War Dogs, but ultimately chose to go rogue and begin a campaign to take over the world, even building his own cult of sorts to do his bidding. Despite being killed in 1260 B.C., the Lion may actually provide the perfect villain setup for the story of Black Panther 3.

Black Panther 3 Could Make One Comic Storyline Even Better Than The Original

In 2009’s Black Panther Vol. 5 #2-6, a plot is uncovered about the Lion Cult, a group who worship the Totem of the Lion inspired by the original Lion, Nkati, to overthrow Wakanda while T’Challa lay on his deathbed.

The story sees this cult summoning Morlun, a psychic vampire, to drain the power of the Black Panther, and leads to an opportunity to overthrow the kingdom of Wakanda. However, their plan is undermined by Shuri, who embarks on a journey to become the new Black Panther.

This is clearly a storyline that could fit well into the timeline of the Black Panther films, though some small adjustments would need to be made due to T’Challa’s death already happening prior to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Shuri having already taken up the Black Panther mantle.

Still, the plot set up in Eyes of Wakanda – and its deeper exploration of the rich history of Wakanda – makes this nation’s history feel more profound, and could lead to a compelling turn of events in Black Panther 3 with the inclusion of the Lion Cult, which could easily be set up thanks to The Lion’s MCU debut.