How Powerful Is Namor Compared To Black Panther 2's Heroes?

Just how powerful will Namor be in Marvel Studios' Black Panther 2, if he really does appear? This quandary could turn out to be an important one, especially considering new rumors that Narcos: Mexico's Tenoch Huerta - whose casting in an undisclosed role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was made public in November of last year - will be playing the famed King of Atlantis. While news that Namor is coming is sure to make Marvel fans happy, perhaps the Wakandans (and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's other heroes) will have a real threat on their hands.

Namor's characterization in the comic books is notably varied, often flitting in and out of heroic and antagonistic roles. Should director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios head Keven Feige choose to use Namor as the primary villain in the sequel, it is possible he will be even more formidable than Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger, Black Panther's compelling yet dangerous antagonist. For starters, Namor is a mutant human and Atlantean hybrid with a wide powerset. In addition to his incredible durability (in and out of the water), super strength, enhanced senses, aquatic telepathy, advanced longevity, and super speed, Namor has, in his long history, also been able to fly and manipulate the water and weather. Without question, if the source material has any bearing, the MCU's Namor will be a real heavy-hitter.

So, how will Shuri, Okoye, Nakia, M'Baku, and the other Wakandan heroes fare against such a force? While Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame all featured some moments of vibranium-clad fights, it is important to note that no one besides T'Challa has superpowers in Wakanda. Given Marvel Studio's announcement that the role played by the late Chadwick Boseman will not be recast, the absence of T'Challa could have ramifications for Wakanda's safety - at least until someone else, like Shuri, ingests the ability-granting Heart Shaped Herb and takes on the mantle of Black Panther. Without a new protector, it is hard to imagine Namor not giving the Wakandans a run for their money. With powers like super speed and super strength, Namor is already at an advantage, but the additions of weather manipulation and a form of telepathy put him past any other fighter in Wakanda. It's unlikely any one person can defeat him alone.

Black Panther 2 Tenoch Huerta Namor casting

In fact, the tendrils of Namor's introduction in Black Panther 2 could reach out and touch other corners of the MCU, as well. With franchise mainstays like Iron Man and Steve Rogers' Captain America off the table, fans are just now beginning to see the state of the world in the wake of Avengers: Endgame. From what has been have gleaned from Spider-Man: Far From Home, WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Solder, Earth is a chaotic place in the wake of the Blip. Perhaps a powerful being like Namor could capitalize on that chaos to disastrous effect. However, it must be said that the likes of Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, and Thor have the potential to keep him in check.

While Namor's role in Black Panther 2 is yet to be officially confirmed, his introduction makes a great deal of narrative sense. His physical strength certainly ups the ante for the Wakandans, but, perhaps more importantly, they will also have to contend with his political power. Like Wakanda, Atlantis has been shrouded from the larger world. Since much of the first film dealt with T'Challa's realization that Wakanda's secrecy was ultimately harmful, it is possible that his decision to open Wakanda to the world will be juxtaposed with Namor's decision for Atlantis to exist separately. Additionally, since the comics' version of the character has been often identified as the world's first mutant, perhaps Namor's emergence will lead to the introduction of the MCU's X-Men.

Next: MCU Theory: Namor Could Start Civil War II (In Phase 5)