The Illuminerdi looks at seven corners of the Marvel universe that the MCU could explore with the introduction of Namor the Sub-Mariner.
Black Panther 2 has been one of the most highly anticipated MCU films since the first Black Panther hit theaters. Following the massive success of the film, fans have been eager to see more of Wakanda’s story, but after Chadwick Boseman’s tragic death, fans were not only devastated, but unsure about how the franchise would continue. We here at The Illuminerdi exclusively revealed that Tenoch Huerta, who had been cast as a mystery villain, will be playing the Atlantean ruler Namor the Sub-Mariner.
With Namor’s introduction being in Black Panther 2, it seems like an obvious area that will be explored is the history between Wakanda and Atlantis. Both hidden advanced kingdoms and in the comics Wakanda and Atlantis go to war. With Namor being a villain in Black Panther 2 this conflict seems inevitable.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will open up a new corner of the Marvel universe with the likely exploration of Atlantis given the fact that not only Namor, but Namora and Attuma will also play a part in the film. Atlantis has a long, rich history in the Marvel timeline. But, Namor has many connections within the Marvel universe, some of which we already know will be introduced into the MCU.
7 CORNERS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE THAT NAMOR CAN INTRODUCE INTO THE MCU
MUTANTS
The mutants are coming, Kevin Feige announced it at San Diego Comic Con in 2019 and we here at The Illuminerdi revealed that The Mutants film, an X-Men reboot, is in development at Marvel. The mutants are a fascinating and popular corner of the Marvel universe with a long standing and diverse history. The X-Men are a fan favorite team with beloved characters. Namor would be a great character to incorporate mutants into the MCU, without that being the focal point of his story.
Namor is known as “Marvel’s first mutant”. And although he is not the first mutant in Marvel’s timeline, he is the first character introduced to be revealed as a mutant. Namor was one of the first characters introduced by Marvel’s predecessor, Timely Comics in 1939’s Marvel Comics #1. Namor is a half Atlantean half mutant hybrid with his most obvious mutant feature being the small wings on his ankle tied to his ability to fly. His mutant DNA also seems to enhance his Atlantean physiological abilities, super strength, speed, durability, etc. as well.
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Namor’s status as a mutant doesn’t need to be explored fully in Black Panther 2, but by introducing the character it opens up the possibility to further explore it down the line. This is also a great way to lay the ground work for the world building of the mutants in the MCU similar to how The Falcon And The Winter Soldier introduced Madripoor.
FANTASTIC FOUR
Fans were beyond ecstatic when Kevin Feige revealed, during the Marvel Disney Investor Day 2020 presentation, that a Fantastic Four movie is in development with director Jon Watts. Namor himself has an interesting history with the Fantastic Four in the comics, his most intense connection being with Sue Storm. Namor quickly fell for Sue Storm and attempted to court her on multiple occasions, completely ignoring her relationship with Reed Richards.
Namor initially met the Fantastic Four when he was saved from his state of amnesia by Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, and quickly became an enemy of the family after he learned of Atlantis’ destruction. Over their long history Namor has been an ally and an enemy of the team.
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Depending on how the Fantastic Four are introduced into the MCU there are quite a few possibilities. But, one possibility is that the Fantastic Four could already exist and Namor could have already come across the super family, given his extended age. If this is the case, exploring Namor’s infatuation with Sue and her inexplicable pull towards the Atlantean king could be a compelling avenue to go down.
[Click on Page 2 for more Namor speculation.]
