Marvel has finally revealed the first look at Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The upcoming Black Panther sequel has long attempted to hide the fact that Namor the Sub-Mariner would appear, as Tenoch Huerta will play the major Marvel Comics character. Rumors have long swirled that Namor will be the main villain in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, directed by Ryan Coogler. His inclusion came with expectations that the movie's plot would revolve around Wakanda and Atlantis, the underwater world that Namor is the king of, will be at war.
Due to Marvel's marketing campaign for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever not yet truly beginning, the only glimpses of the MCU's Namor design came from various pieces of merchandise and promotional art. These glimpses came on the heels of rumors circulating that Marvel Studios could reimagine Namor a bit for the MCU to incorporate Aztec or Mayan culture into Atlantis. Early promo art for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever eventually provided a glimpse of what Namor could look like, but that did not quell the appetite of viewers to see him in live-action.
During Marvel Studios' Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer was released, which revealed the first official look at Huerta as Namor. After bringing Huerta on the Hall H stage, the trailer played to the massive crowd and was released online. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever footage included multiple looks at Namor's MCU debut, as well as glimpses of Atlantis and the other Atlanteans who will appear in the sequel.
Namor's MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever comes more than 80 years after he made his first comic appearance. The half-human/half-Atlantean (and part mutant) is one of Marvel's biggest villains, although he became more of an anti-hero over the years. Namor has done everything from going to war with Wakanda, trying to steal Sue Storm from Mister Fantastic, and being a founding member of Marvel's Illuminati team. The first look at Namor in Black Panther 2 means that the MCU can now begin exploring some of these storylines as the next few Phases unfold.
With all of the cool Namor moments featured in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer, excitement over his MCU debut will only be higher now - and will surely increase as more about his character is revealed. Still, those who have followed the years-long rumors about Tenoch Huerta playing Namor the Sub-Mariner might now just be relieved that Marvel finally confirmed it. He certainly seems to be a worthy antagonist for whoever takes up the Black Panther mantle after T'Challa. And with Kevin Feige's SDCC announcement that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ends Phase 4, he could be a great villain to end this run of MCU projects.
Source: Marvel Studios
