Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Tenoch Huerta describes dressing as Namor the Sub-Mariner for the first time as "overwhelming." Marvel Studios' panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 was jam-packed with announcements about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that included the full slate for Phase 5 and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. The panel also revealed the first trailer for Black Panther 2, which was announced as the final film in the MCU's Phase 4.
The Black Panther 2 trailer featured much of the cast from Black Panther who will be returning for the sequel, including Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett. The new trailer also offered the first look at Huerta's Namor, officially confirming the character's introduction to the MCU for the first time. Namor the Sub-Mariner has had a long history in Marvel Comics, debuting in 1939. As the mutant son of a human father and an Atlantean princess, Namor was a powerful character in the comics who sometimes appeared as a hero and sometimes as a villain. The Black Panther 2 trailer teased that Namor will be the main antagonist of the film, as Wakanda and Atlantis go to war.
Namor joining the MCU is huge for Marvel fans and appeared to be huge for the actor portraying him, too. While at SDCC 2022, Variety asked Huerta how it felt to don Namor's iconic speedo for the first time. The actor's response was understandably excited as he described the feeling as "amazing" and "overwhelming." Read Huerta's full quote below:
"It's amazing. I mean everyone pretends to be a superhero or to be part of movies or whatever, and then you are part of it. You are the superhero, and then you are wearing the costume. It's your skin, your voice, your brain, your talent, your story. It's overwhelming."
Huerta's response makes it clear how meaningful playing Namor is for him. Namor appears different in the trailer from the comic traditions in that Atlantis seems to be located near South America and Namor and the other Atlanteans wear distinctly Mayan-inspired outfits. As a Latino actor, Huerta's Namor really will be telling his story with this adjustment and provide representation to a community the MCU has neglected before. When Black Panther premiered in 2018, the film was praised for its cultural significance in providing a positive representation of Black heroes. Evidently, Wakanda Forever will attempt to continue this practice for another community.
Obviously, Namor's role in Black Panther 2 won't just be a matter of representation. The character has a long history in the comics which could be explored in the MCU. It will be interesting to see how Huerta's voice adds to the Sub-Mariner's character who is known for righteously defending his home. It will also be interesting to see what ramifications Wakanda and Atlantis' war has on Phase 5, as the two once-secret nations clash. Whatever happens, Marvel fans will be eager to see Huerta's Namor when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres this November.
Source: Variety
