Warning: Spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
The decision to omit Namor the Sub-Mariner from the MCU’s Illuminati lineup in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness avoids a major problem with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Though Marvel has yet to confirm the rumors and reports, it’s widely believed that Namor – one of the oldest superheroes in Marvel’s library – will finally join the MCU as Black Panther 2’s villain. Tenoch Heurta is the actor who’s been linked to the role.
Even though Professor X’s inclusion in the movie and Illuminati membership had already been spoiled by the marketing, the introduction of the group provided Doctor Strange 2 with one of its most shocking moments. In addition to Charles Xavier and Baron Mordo, Earth-838’s Illuminati team also featured John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic, Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, Lashana Lynch as a Maria Rambeau incarnation of Captain Marvel, and Anson Mount as Black Bolt. The only heroes missing from the original version of the team from Marvel Comics were Iron Man and Namor.
Since Namor’s MCU debut appears imminent at this point, Marvel introducing a multiverse version of the Avenging Son could have happened. However, leaving Namor the Sub-Mariner out helped Marvel get around a big issue with his character in Black Panther 2. If Namor was there, it’s likely that he would have been another victim of the Scarlet Witch. A fight between them would have allowed Doctor Strange 2 to showcase his impressive abilities ahead of Wakanda’s battle with Earth-616’s Namor in Black Panther 2, but chances are it still would have resulted in his death. Being defeated by a character as powerful as Scarlet Witch would have been an understandable loss, but not the best first impression the MCU could offer him.
In Marvel Comics, Namor has a fearsome reputation. Even when he’s on the surface and out of his element, Namor has the physical strength needed to go toe-to-toe with some of the strongest characters in the Marvel Universe. Over the years, he’s engaged in epic slugfests with the likes of the Thing, Hulk, Hercules, and Thor. For the part, they end in draws. It typically takes a Marvel powerhouse to properly contend with him. So while the MCU’s Scarlet Witch does indeed have the raw power it would take to get the best of Namor, going this route might prevent viewers from seeing the Sub-Mariner as the all-powerful force he needs to be. After all, if Namor is going to be the main villain, giving him a menacing image is a must.
If his Illuminati cameo wouldn’t have involved his Earth-838 variant meeting a grisly end, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness might have been a great place for Namor’s MCU debut. But in light of the fates that befell Black Bolt, Mr. Fantastic, and the others, it’s for the best that Marvel is holding him back for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where he’ll have an opportunity for a grand entrance that demonstrates the full scope of his power.
