Wolfenstein 3 (internally codenamed Valkyrie) is in active development at MachineGames, the studio behind the modern Wolfenstein reboot and the acclaimed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2024).
Current Status (as of May 2026)
There has been no official announcement or trailer from Bethesda yet, but multiple credible outlets confirmed development in January 2026.
Windows Central’s Jez Corden first reported it as part of Xbox predictions, and Kotaku independently verified it through their sources.
MachineGames has long planned the modern series (The New Order, The New Colossus, and side story Youngblood) as a trilogy, with studio head Jerk Gustafsson reaffirming they’re “not done with Wolfenstein yet.”
After wrapping Indiana Jones (and its DLC/ports), the team shifted focus to Wolfenstein 3.
Latest Story & Production Details
A February 2026 casting call leak (reported by MP1ST and covered widely) provided the first real story hints:
- B.J. Blazkowicz returns as the protagonist.
- New character: Sofiya, a Ukrainian orphan girl (ages 8–11) with a dog named Ralph. B.J. takes her under his wing — hints of a protector/ward or found-family dynamic (some comparisons to The Last of Us).
- Story continues after Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.
- Performance capture (motion/acting) is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with additional shoots through late 2026 and into 2027.
- Some reports suggest a darker tone.
The project is far enough along that casting and performance work are underway.
B.J. Blazkowicz — the Nazi-blasting hero of the modern series.
Release Window
No official date. Leaks and speculation point to a late 2027 release (or possibly 2028), potentially timed with the in-development Amazon Prime Wolfenstein TV series for cross-media synergy (similar to the Fallout show + games approach).
Community Hype & Sentiment
Hype exploded in January 2026 when development was confirmed — lots of “YES, YES!” energy on X from fans eager for more B.J. action after years of silence.
February brought another wave when the Sofiya/Ralph casting details dropped. Fans are excited for:
- A proper single-player story conclusion to the trilogy
- MachineGames’ proven ability to deliver big, cinematic, high-quality experiences (proven by Indiana Jones)
- That signature over-the-top anti-fascist catharsis
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus key art — the last mainline entry before Youngblood.
Recent chatter (April–May 2026) has been quieter, with fans mostly hoping for an official reveal or trailer soon.
Some mention it in broader “Xbox shooters” conversations alongside Halo, Call of Duty, and Gears of War.
A few are wary of the child companion angle, but overall sentiment remains very positive.
MachineGames’ recent hit Indiana Jones and the Great Circle boosted confidence that they can deliver another big single-player win.
What Fans Are Expecting
- Classic Wolfenstein gameplay: fast, brutal, story-driven first-person shooting with humor, satire, and over-the-top set pieces.
- Deeper narrative focus on B.J. (possibly exploring fatherhood/protector themes).
- High production values matching or exceeding Indiana Jones.
- Potential for big moments involving classic series elements (though nothing confirmed like Mecha-Hitler or the Sun Gun for this specific game).
Bottom line: Wolfenstein 3 is real, it’s happening, and it’s the next major project from one of Bethesda’s strongest studios right now.
We’re probably still 12–18+ months from launch, but the foundation is being laid. Fans are ready for B.J. to return and finish the fight.
