When Black Panther hit theatres in 2018, it was not only one of Marvel Studios’ most blockbuster films to date, but it also had an impact on the culture and society that few movies have. Following up on this momentous film was difficult enough, but Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was subsequently met with the death of Chadwick Boseman.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to release this month, and it promises to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing Namor the Sub-Mariner (Tenoch Huerta), and his undersea empire. Namor is a big Marvel Comics character, and while Wakanda Forever plans to debut a new version of the character, he’s still shaping up to be one of the more powerful villains presented by Marvel Studios in recent years.
Black Panther 2 changes Namor’s comic origin
Namor’s full name in the comics was Namor McKenzie because he was born to a human father and the princess of the kingdom of Atlantis. Namor’s ancestry, combined with his superhuman talents, led to him being referred to as “Marvel’s first mutant” by Marvel Comics.
He is frequently regarded as Marvel’s first mutant, even though his superpowers are derived from his genetic composition as both human and Atlantean. Namor was born with winged feet, allowing him to fly, in addition to superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to breathe underwater.
Though initially portrayed as a villain, the comic book character was revealed to be an antihero who fought alongside the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Defenders, X-Men, and the Illuminati.
It was widely rumored that Marvel Studios will give a fresh new portrayal of this Atlantean leader and his underwater country during filming for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and the film’s opening trailer proved just that.
Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta was cast in the character of Namor the Sub-Mariner for Marvel Studios’ live-action version, and the mutant hails from Talocan, an underwater society that has stayed isolated from the surface world until now. T’Challa’s decision to reveal to the world the realities of Wakanda’s technologically superior society has reportedly put Talocan in danger, however, the actor has not revealed how.
Black Panther 2 producer respects Namor’s legacy
Nate Moore, producer of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, acknowledged Tenoch Huerta‘s assertion that Namor is a Mutant in a recent interview. Moore also went into further detail on Mutants in the MCU, saying that Marvel has been leaving “breadcrumbs” for those who carry the X-gene.
The producer went on to say, “No, it was fun. I mean… we don’t wanna get ahead of ourselves. We don’t wanna overpromise something that’s not on the horizon. But it’s… the truth is, Namor’s a mutant. You know what I mean? And as a fan of publishing and his history, it would’ve felt disingenuous to not say that.”
“It’s fun to leave these breadcrumbs and sort of see where they go. And Tenoch is clearly very excited about it, which is great. Part of the fun of making these movies is seeing how the cast really embrace their characters. And allowing them to have that excitement and really live in it.”
Marvel Studios hopes to eventually bring in the all-Mutant superhero team known as the X-Men. A hypothetical X-Men film will most likely go into great detail about the X-gene and how Mutations appear in the MCU. But, for the time being, fans will have to settle for “breadcrumbs,” as Nate Moore puts it.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to premiere on November 11, 2022.
Source: TheDirect
