RUMOR: Tenoch Huerta Is Namor in Black Panther 2
According to The Illuminerdi, Narcos: Mexico star Tenoch Huerta is playing the iconic Marvel Comics character Namor the Submariner in Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda. Huerta’s casting announcement seemingly confirms the previous reports from Fandomwire that Black Panther 2 will include a conflict between Wakanda and Atlantis.
Tenoch Huerta. Photo: Keith Leman/Getty Images
Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda
One of the most anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe projects is Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda, which is slated to begin production in July 2021.
Although Marvel Studios hasn’t revealed a lot about Black Panther 2‘s plot yet, it’s been revealed that the studio isn’t going to recast King T’Challa (A.K.A. Black Panther), who was played by the late Chadwick Boseman. Even though T’Challa will not be recast, most of the original cast is returning for the sequel, as well as director Ryan Coogler.
Danai Gurira and Ryan Coogler. Photo: IndieWire
Many fans have long suspected that Namor would be making his MCU debut in the Black Panther sequel. This is because the character was teased (?) in Avengers: Endgame during a scene where Okoye is updating Natasha Romanoff about the underwater tremors off the coast of Africa, hinting at the possible existence of the underground city.
Then, during the a COVID-19 quarantine watch party, the reference was somewhat confirmed by the the Endgame co-writers on Twitter.
Sometimes, you plant seeds. Sometimes, they grow. -CM #AvengersAssemble #QuarantineWatchParty https://t.co/9U16imVm1f
— ComicBook.com (@ComicBook) April 28, 2020
Who Is Namor the Submariner?
The Submariner is one of Marvel’s oldest characters, debuting in 1939’s Marvel Comics #1 as the industry’s first antihero.
Photo: ComicVine
Namor is the mutant son of an Atlantean princess and human sailor, and as Atlantean royalty he eventually becomes king of the aquatic city. He defends it against intruders while occasionally going above water to fight crime and save the world with his super strength, ability to fly, and amphibious nature.
Baby Namor. Photo: ComicVine
Although the character has a long and storied history in the comics, in The New York Times, Marvel Comics writer Mark Waid summed up it up well:
Namor’s goal wasn’t to rescue kittens or punch criminals — it was to lead an Atlantean army against the air-breathers of America.
From the sounds of it, Namor and Atlantis have a long history with Wakanda in the comics, with the two kingdoms often fighting each other. Thus, in Black Panther 2, he’ll likely see Americans and Wakandans as a potential threat, at least initially…
More Atlanteans Incoming
In February 2021, POC Culture revealed that Marvel Stuidos was looking to cast one Mayan woman called “Zyanya” and one Mayan man called “Cadmael” in Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda.
Namora by Sara Pichelli, Stephanie Hans, and Jeff Parker. Photo: Marvel Comics
According to The Illuminerdi, these “Mayan warriors” are important characters in Namor and Atlantean lore.
Zyanya is a codename for Namora, Namor’s cousin, while Cadmael is a codename for Attuma, an Atlantean warlord.
Both of these characters have played important roles in Namor’s story. Namora is Namor’s cousin, and Attuma is a member of a tribe of Atlantean nomads who were banished from the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.
Atuma. Photo: The Illuminerdi
In Marvel comics, Attuma is often an enemy of Namor, and he regularly tries to manipulate the Atlantean King into giving up his throne. Since the pair has an antagonistic relationship in the comics, it will be interesting to see how Attuma plays into Black Panther 2.
Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda will be released in theaters on July 8th, 2022.
Featured Image: Thruline Ent.
