Namor might finally be coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but will the underwater king become an Avenger after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Marvel Studios has frequently included possible Namor and Atlantis Easter eggs during their movies. Iron Man 2 featured a likely marking of Atlantis on a world map and Captain America: The Winter Soldier subtly teased the underwater world with the Lumerian Star. Meanwhile, a line in Avengers: Endgame about underwater earthquakes left many wondering if it was another reference to Namor's activity.

After these potential teases, it seems the MCU is on the precipice of properly introducing Namor and Atlantis. Rumors suggest Namor is the main villain of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Fans have long hoped that the king of Atlantis would appear and lead a war against Wakanda, and may be getting their wish. Tenoch Huerta will reportedly play Namor in Black Panther 2 and presumably beyond. Namor has a rich comic history that has seen him play the role of hero and villain, with superteams playing a significant part in his adventures. So will Namor become an Avenger after Black Panther 2?

Related: How Namor & Atlantis Will Change Black Panther 2 (& The MCU)

Namor does have some experience as a member of the Avengers in Marvel Comics. He was offered a spot on the team back in 1965 when members of the original Avengers roster stepped away. Namor refused this invitation to join their ranks and continued to be a hero and antagonist to various Marvel characters in the years to come. He did eventually join the Avengers, though, so Marvel Studios has the comic precedence to follow if they please. It won't be surprising if Namor's role in the MCU adheres to the comics where it takes him a while to become an Avenger. This might mean that the Sub-Mariner won't be part of Avengers 5's team, but he'll surely fight alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes down the road when Atlantis' safety is also drawn into question.

Invaders - Human Torch, Captain America, and Namor from Marvel Comics

Namor's immediate MCU future might not be with the Avengers, but that doesn't mean it won't have something to do with superteams. The Atlantean king is a founding member of the Defenders and Invaders in the comics. The original Defenders team saw him team up with Doctor Strange, Hulk, and Silver Surfer. This collection of heroes would be quite different from Netflix's The Defenders if Marvel Studios wanted to reinvent the team. Meanwhile, the Invaders were a team that began with Namor, Captain America, Bucky, the android Human Torch, and others fighting together during World War II. It is possible the MCU could establish this past team-up for Namor at some point. There is also a good chance that he could interact with the X-Men, as he is technically a mutant, and even encounter the Fantastic Four.

Marvel could also use Namor's MCU future in a different direction after Black Panther 2 with the introduction of the Illuminati. Namor is one of the original members of the clandestine team featuring Marvel's biggest heroes: Iron Man, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Professor X, and Doctor Strange. There are rumors that Marvel Studios is developing a project for the superteam, so Namor's introduction in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could tease his involvement with the team. Working with some of the MCU's biggest heroes could then one day be how he finds his way fighting alongside the Avengers.

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

Key Release Dates