On the heels of getting the first proper look at the character, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler speaks out in defense of keeping Namor's comics-accurate design. The next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see the titular kingdom rocked by the sudden death of King T'Challa, a story decision made to honor late star Chadwick Boseman. The various tribes of Wakanda will have to come together when rival nation Talocan attempt to invade as it's left without a Black Panther.
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Tenoch Huerta, known for his work in The Forever Purge and Narcos: Mexico, will be leading the forces of Talocan as their king, Namor. Huerta has teased that the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever antagonist will retain a number of elements from his comic book counterpart, including his being a mutant and being more of an antihero than an outright villain, with his character simply looking to protect his people after they are inadvertently exposed to the outside world. The newly released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer offered a lot more for audiences to learn about Namor, including a unique element that has left some feeling divided.
In honor of the new trailer's release, Ryan Coogler caught up with Entertainment Weekly to offer new insight for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. When looking at the film's antagonist, the co-writer/director explained his decision for wanting to go for Namor's comics-accurate design, namely his ankle wings, explaining that the comic book genre calls for filmmakers to "lean into the weird stuff." See what Coogler explained below:
I think with making these types of movies, you've got to lean into the weird stuff, or you risk missing what makes it fun. He's got really unique features and things that don't necessarily go together. He can breathe underwater, obviously, but he's got these little wings on his ankles. He's got pointy ears and walks around in his underwear. It's all fun, man.
How Black Panther 2's Namor Is True To The Comics
While previous looks at Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever have teased the character retaining a number of his comic book features, including his pointy ears, the new trailer's reveal of his ankle wings came as a surprise to many audiences. In the comics, Namor possessed the ability of flight thanks to these wings, which were specifically cited as a mutation rather than a feature of Atlanteans. Given the MCU is finally diving into the world of mutants, as teased with the Ms. Marvel finale confirming Kamala Khan to be a mutant, it's understandable Coogler would both want to and get to retain Namor's ankle wings for the sequel.
Though Coogler has confirmed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Namor won't be from the kingdom of Atlantis in the film, his devotion to keeping the rest of the character's design and backstory is sure to come as a promising sign for those eager to see his MCU debut. Additionally, with Huerta's previous teases that Namor will be more of an anti-hero in the sequel, it looks as though Coogler and co-writer Joe Robert Cole have taken the care to properly bring the character to life on screen. Only time will tell how comic book fans respond to the character when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11.
Source: EW