Winston Duke Shares the Scoop on His Iconic Improvised Line in Black Panther

Winston Duke recently spilled the beans about one of the most memorable lines from Black Panther, and guess what? It was all his idea! Duke, who plays the lovable M’Baku, confirmed that the hilarious jab, “You bald-headed demon,” was completely improvised. It’s no wonder Angela Bassett managed to keep it together after that zinger!

During a fun chat on the red carpet after Marvel’s Hall H Panel at San Diego Comic Con 2026, Duke couldn’t help but chuckle when host Jeffrey Vega brought up the iconic moment. “It was completely improvised,” he said. “Playing M’Baku is a blast. He’s this really free spirit, deeply connected to his culture and roots. I drew a lot of inspiration from Nigerian Igbo culture. It felt like something someone from that heritage would say, especially in a family squabble like that.” Duke added that the moment felt right and he appreciated director Ryan Coogler for letting him go with it.

Excitingly, Black Panther III was one of the major announcements at the event, along with hints about M’Baku’s role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. When asked about David Jonsson stepping into the role of the next Black Panther, Duke shared his enthusiasm, mentioning, “I felt just like the audience. It was my first time meeting him, and I want to extend the same support I received. Black Panther was my debut film, and I was welcomed into a creative family. It was a place to take risks and express myself freely. I told him, ‘We all just want you to succeed, and we’re eager to work with you.’”

Mark your calendars! Black Panther III is set to hit theaters on December 15, 2028. Fans were also treated to the news of a new Ghost Rider film featuring Ryan Gosling as the lead. Plus, Avengers: Doomsday is coming your way this December, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day will swing into theaters later this month. There’s a ton to be excited about in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so stay tuned for more updates!