We’re just over a month away from the new Black Panther movie, and the excitement levels are through the roof. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been one of the most anticipated MCU projects since Endgame. Since Chadwick Boseman’s passing, this particular project was given priority, as it was also a way for Marvel to pay respects to one of the greatest superheroes ever.
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer was released two months back, and since then, there have been countless unanswered questions. How would the filmmakers reconcile the death of the Wakandan King? Will Namor be the villain of the movie? Who will rule? The list of these questions is never-ending. However, we do have an answer for at least one of them.
In their most recent issue, Empire Magazine did an exclusive feature on Wakanda Forever, and we were lucky enough to get a little more insight into this mammoth MCU movie.
While the trailer does not give away much, the most obvious thing is that the kingdom of Wakanda will find itself in conflict with the kingdom of Atlantis. We see several shots of Namor coming out of the water, and to say that he looks badass would be a heavy understatement. It was purported that he would be a villain in the movie. The comic book version of this character has had many iterations, and it would not have been hard to imagine Namor as a bad guy.
Hence, after seeing the trailer, it was close to being settled. The feature in Empire Magazine has helped to correct that assumption. Namor will not be the villain.
When speaking to Empire, actor Tenoch Huerta who plays Namor, makes it clear that he is not a villain in the movie. He also brings light to the fact that there is a trend in Hollywood where Latin Americans are generally portrayed as villain characters. However, Tenoch reassures that this will not be the case in Wakanda Forever and that Namor will be depicted as more of an Anti-hero. We will see a King struggling with his throne’s weight.
“Latin-Americans are always the bad guys in Hollywood movies. And now we are the heroes – or an anti-hero, in this instance.” — Tenoch Huerta.
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What Can We Expect From Namor & Tenoch Huerta?
Taking a slight deviation from the comics, Marvel is set to introduce Namor as what looks like an indigenous, superpowered individual. With it, they also plan to introduce the mutants for the very first time in a Marvel movie. Tenoch Huerta looks stunning in the role, and from what we can tell, he might just nail the character. Marvel seldom goes wrong with their casting, and it would be safe to assume they probably got it right this time, too.
Namor has always been a conflicted character, always treading the thin line between right and wrong. As King of a nation, he cannot be just another superhero. Namor is constantly burdened by his throne and must do everything he can to protect his people.
There have been many times in the comics where putting his people first has led him to cross swords with other heroes, and gray areas of right and wrong have been explored.
Since the MCU has also added the indigenous element to the mix, it will be very intriguing. Just like the Black Panther, the sequel is expected to have an enormous cultural impact, and many people of color will be represented on a massive scale.
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We are yet to see how the movie will play out with all this on the line. Tenoch will have many eyes on him, but from recent interviews, it appears he has got it in the bag. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to release on the 11th of November, 2022.
One major question remains, though. If Namor is not the villain, then who is?
Let us know your predictions below!
Source: The Direct
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