Namor the Sub-Mariner is one of the oldest, most important, and most popular Marvel characters that has never been adapted on the big screen. However, that might change sooner rather than later. The rumors about Namor in the MCU began with Avengers: Endgame. Now, it seems all but confirmed for the new Black Panther movie. So, is Namor in Black Panther 2?
Namor the Sub-Mariner will almost certainly appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While Marvel Studios never gave official confirmations, rumors suggest that Tenoch Huerta will be Namor. The two characters have a rich comic history, and the introduction simply makes sense.
There is more “evidence” than Huerta will really be Namor in the movie, such as photos from the set where underwater scenes were shot. Let’s dig up all the information out there about Black Panther 2; here’s everything we know about a potential conflict between Wakanda and Atlantis.
Will Namor Be In Black Panther 2?
While there is still no official statement or confirmation from Marvel, it’s almost clear now that Namor will be in Black Panther 2. There are several things that made fans believe this to be the case. Let’s start from the beginning.
The existence of Atlantis – or some other form of underwater civilization – was teased several times in the MCU. However, the small “tease” that had many fans connecting the dots came fairly recently. During Avengers: Endgame, Okoye – the Dora Milaje General – mentions an unexplained underwater earthquake off the coast of Africa – where Atlantis is supposed to be.
Also, the emergence of the Celestial, Tiamud, in Eternals certainly caused incredible damage to the underwater world, which could lead to Namor and the Atlanteans waging war on the surface world.
In the comics, Namor appeared back in 1939. Throughout the character’s rich history, Namor has been a hero, a villain, and an antihero. He sometimes has connections with the Avengers, but he mostly appears alongside (or against) the Fantastic Four or the X-Men.
Interestingly, a new Fantastic Four movie has already been announced, and it will be a part of the MCU. To add to it, Marvel had regained the rights to use the X-Men in the MCU, and it’s only a matter of time before they get their big introduction.
Also, let’s not forget that we got some leaked photos from the Black Panther 2 set, where it’s obvious there are some underwater scenes being shot. That doesn’t have to mean anything, sure, but given all the rumors and before-mentioned facts – and the comics history of Wakanda and Atlantis – it’s hard not to see how the pieces fit together.
Some rumors even state that Namor’s role in Black Panther will be similar to Black Panther’s role in Captain America: Civil War. The character will get an introduction before a spin-off, stand-alone movie comes out – in this case, with Namor as the main protagonist.
Finally, there’s one more particular thing that is the biggest red flag for fans – an actor that has all the qualities and attributes to play Namor had already been cast. While his role hadn’t been officially confirmed, I think it’s pretty safe to say that MCU’s Namor already has a face.
Who Will Play Namor In Black Panther 2?
I know I’ve said this a couple of times, but I’ll say it again – there are still rumors, and nothing has been officially confirmed.
However, the general consensus is that Tenoch Huerta will play Namor the Sub-Mariner in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Huerta’s name has been on the cast list for a while now, but it hasn’t been disclosed which part the actor will play. It all points to the Sub-Mariner, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the rumor is confirmed.
The MCU is always a phenomenal mix of big names and new, upcoming faces, and Huerta certainly fits that bill. Tenoch is a remarkable Mexican actor and writer who mostly appeared in Spanish or Latin American productions.
Huerta appeared in the James Bond movie Spectre in 2015, and recently, in The Forever Purge, but I think his most significant role came in Narcos: Mexico, where he portrayed Rafael Caro Quintero. I’m certain that Tenoch will be an outstanding Namor, bringing more diversity and talent into the MCU.
Is Namor A Black Panther Villain?
Namor the Sub-Mariner is such a colorful character that plays every role you might imagine. He’s considered Marvel’s First Mutant, directly connecting him to the X-Men. Throughout Marvel Comics history, Namor had been their friend and foe numerous times, sometimes threatening only the X-Men, while sometimes threatening the entire planet.
His most common comics companions, though – be it allies or enemies – are the Fantastic Four, especially the Human Torch, which Namor has a long history with.
He had also joined the likes of Captain America in both the Invaders and the Avengers teams but fought them on numerous occasions as well – most notably, as a Phoenix Force host – which is also when Namor’s and Black Panther’s stories intertwined the most.
I think you get the gist – while Namor the Sub-Mariner wasn’t primarily associated with Black Panther as the character’s villain, the relationship between Wakanda and Atlantis certainly allows us to categorize Namor as a Black Panther villain. Let’s see how their relationship progressed with time.
What Did Namor Do To Wakanda?
The first conflict between Wakanda and Atlantis came in The Defenders #84 but during the Avengers Vs. X-Men storyline, it escalated to unforeseen lengths. Namor was one of the five hosts of the Phoneix Force, which he used to send a huge tsunami and decimate Wakanda.
After Black Panther defeated the Sub-Mariner later (with some help) and Wakanda demolished Atlantis, Namor turned to Thanos, as he had no other way of defending his people. The Mad Titan was crazy about Infinity Stones, and Namor saw his opportunity to cast vengeance upon Wakanda.
He lied to Thanos that the Stones were there, so The Mad Titan’s armies attacked Black Panther’s land, destroying it even worse than the tsunami.
Seeing that Thanos had long been defeated in the MCU, Black Panther 2 will certainly take a different approach to the Wakanda-Atlantis war. Also, King T’Challa won’t be recast for Black Panther 2 after Chadwick Boseman’s passing, so we still have to see who’ll take the Black Panther role and face Namor – it will probably be Shuri or Nakia.
Namor MCU Rumors
To draw a bottom line, let’s quickly go over all the rumors about Namor and the MCU that you should know:
- Although it hasn’t been confirmed yet, Namor and the Atlanteans are likely the main antagonists in Black Panther 2.
- The role in Black Panther 2 could lead to a spin-off movie, or another role in one of the upcoming MCU projects (for instance, Fantastic Four)
- Tenoch Huerta will portray Namor in Black Panther 2
- The characters have a deep history in the comics, and Wakanda battled Atlantis several times
- Photos from the set further corroborate that a part of Black Panther 2 will happen underwater – announcing the arrival of the Atlanteans into the MCU
If even half of these rumors are true, we’re up for a spectacular Phase in the MCU.
