Namor's Mutant Confirmation Means Big Things For His MCU Future

Confirmation that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Namor the Sub-Mariner is a MCU mutant signals some huge stories for his future. It was recently confirmed by Namor actor Tenoch Huerta that the Black Panther 2 villain is a mutant. This origin reveal is in line with how the character is depicted in Marvel Comics.

After a long wait, one of the MCU’s biggest missing characters is finally on his way to the big screen via Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. As one of the two oldest heroes in Marvel Comics (the other being the original Human Torch), Namor has a rich history and one ripe with opportunities for the MCU. As a character with deep connections to the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Defenders, there’s no shortage of directions Marvel can take with his character in the MCU. As someone who’s been a hero, a villain, and an ant-hero, Namor could have stories told about him for years to come. As for which role he’ll get first, it seems Namor will assume the position of Black Panther 2’s central antagonist.

What comes after his MCU debut is open to speculation. With his history and storytelling potential that comes with him, it’s unlikely that Marvel would limit him to one film. Instead, there’s a good chance that Marvel will use him in some of its upcoming projects. An Avengers roster spot and a solo Disney+ show are among the top choices. However, the reveal that Marvel is keeping his mutant origin in Black Panther 2 greatly expands the possibilities for Namor’s MCU future. Here’s what Namor’s mutant connection means for the Multiverse Saga and beyond.

Namor’s Mutant Origin Explained

Merchandise and marketing show that Marvel has taken some huge liberties with Namor’s backstory by swapping out Atlantis for a civilization from Aztec mythology, but aside from that, it looks like the underlying elements of his character’s origin will go unchanged. In the comic books, Namor was born as the son of an Atlantean female and a human male. In addition to being a hybrid, Namor carries the mutant gene, which only furthered the differences between him and the rest of his kind. As a result of his heritage and mutant biology, Namor has wings on his ankles that allow him to fly and boasts super strength comparable to Thor and Hercules. Footage of a baby Namor with comic-accurate ankle-wings in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer combined with Huerta’s comments reinforce the notion that Marvel is staying true to his origin story.

How Namor Can Fit Into Marvel’s X-Men Plans

Black Panther Wakanda Forever Namor Tenoch Huerta

Assuming that Namor will survive Black Panther 2, the MCU should have the setup it needs to make Namor a factor in its X-Men projects. Of course, where he would fit would naturally depend on exactly what Marvel’s intentions for the first iteration of Marvel’s X-Men team are. If they stick with the source material and introduce the first group as teenagers enrolled at Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, Namor the Sub-Mariner won’t even be a candidate for membership. But if it picks adult characters like Wolverine, Namor should be an option too. Having the king of an underwater civilization around would certainly diversify the roster in a big way. Plus, Namor has been a member of the X-Men before, so precedence for such a story does indeed exist.

Why Namor would join the X-Men is a more complicated matter, but Black Panther 2’s ending could set that up. Being exiled from Atlantis and believing that his home was destroyed have given him reasons to join superhero teams like the Avengers before, so events that happen in Black Panther 2 could be used to force Namor to seek a new life for himself on the surface. And as a mutant and an outsider, Namor could find common ground with his fellow mutants in the X-Men. If that’s the case, Namor could fight beside them in the MCU’s future as an official member of the X-Men. Taking this route would allow Marvel to explore Namor’s issues with being a team player and a possible rivalry with Wolverine, as characters with their egos and personalities would most assuredly butt heads.

Even if Marvel opts against aligning him with Marvel’s Merry Mutants, he could still be used to advance its X-Men setup. If he were to have a show, for instance, he could share adventures with other mutants or perhaps even come to blows with mutant villains like Magneto or the Juggernaut. As a mutant, it would make sense for Marvel to deliver stories where he crosses paths with other people like him.

Namor Can Join Multiple MCU Teams Now

X-Men Marvel Comics Namor Storm Colossus

Namor’s mutant origin in Black Panther 2 opens an additional door for the character. Since Namor does possess several redeemable qualities, Black Panther 2 should end in a way that sets up a heroic turn for his character. As noted above, a story like that could happen in several different forms. Joining the X-Men is only one of the possible futures Marvel can pursue with his character. Instead, he could join Earth-616’s Illuminati, which could be formed in the aftermath by Doctor Strange in the aftermath of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As a member, Namor could represent the interests of both his people and mutantkind.

Another option is a major role in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Like his comic counterpart in Marvel’s original “Kang Dynasty” storyline in the 1980s, Namor could take part in the fight against Kang the Conqueror, either as an official Avenger or just as one of several heroes assembled together to fight the villain. Or, Marvel could reserve him for the Defenders, who exist as a non-team who don’t follow rules and only come together when needed. The Defenders fits more with Namor’s style than the Avengers and could be his team of choice in the MCU if Marvel decides to go down that road.

All things considered, none of these paths are mutually exclusive. Like the comic book hero, the MCU’s Namor the Sub-Mariner can have his fingers in many pies by developing ties to several teams and characters. The number of possibilities available to Marvel mean that Namor has the potential to be one of the Multiverse Saga’s most important figures after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.