The actor playing Namor in long-anticipated MCU sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever didn't know how to swim before taking the role. An historic Marvel character created in 1939 by Bill Everett, Namor is considered the first comic book antihero by some, as well as 'Marvel's first mutant.' The son of an Atlantean princess and human sea captain, the Sub-Mariner has been a solo-hero as well as a member of the Avengers, Defenders, and X-Men. Namor also has spent time as a villain as well, and it seems that his time in the comics as a rival to the kingdom of Wakanda will be rehashed in live-action in Black Panther 2.
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Namor will be portrayed by actor Tenoch Huerta in the upcoming Black Panther sequel. The trailers and marketing of the film have made it clear that Namor will serve as a villain in the movie. Since the character's comics equivalent is an Atlantean/human hybrid and primarily resides in the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, plenty of the film's action will likely take place in an underwater setting. As such, it only makes sense that his actor should boast powerful swimming abilities akin to Namor's own.
In an interview with Life and Style, (translated from the original Spanish by Screen Rant), Huerta speaks about being offered the role of Namor via a Zoom call with a shaky connection. Though he wasn't completely clear on what he was accepting when he said yes to director Ryan Coogler, he mentions that everything was clarified over the next few days. However, it became clear that the Namor actor had to possess excellent swimming capabilities – and Huerta didn't know how to swim at all. See how he got past that roadblock below:
They also asked if I knew how to swim. I said that I've never drowned and went back to my managers… Of course, I didn't say anything then because they wouldn't have given me the part. [Laughs] We had to explain to them through my lawyer in the U.S. that that's how us Mexicans are. We never say no, and then we see what's going on.
In the interview, it's mentioned that the initial conversation happened two years ago, and he arrived in Atlanta soon after, fully trained and ready for filming, which took eight-and-a-half months. In the end, the small obstacle was overcome fairly quickly, and Huerta has added merit to the idea of fibbing on one's résumé and learning on the job. Though this strategy doesn't work out in all cases, it certainly worked for Huerta, who has since proved that he is the perfect person for the role of Namor in Black Panther 2. His enthusiasm for the character's revolutionary sensibilities and righteous protection of his people proves that Huerta will bring a singular passion to the character, who will hopefully be an MCU juggernaut going forward.
In the end, the ability to swim was an easy element of the significant character to overcome. A hugely important character in Marvel Comics, Namor's role as a mutant and long-standing history with the Fantastic Four bode well for his future in the MCU, since mutants have begun to be introduced and Marvel's Fantastic Four is set for late 2024. Though Namor will be taking on an antagonistic role in Black Panther 2, Huerta has stressed Namor's respect for T'Challa is similar to his own admiration for Chadwick Boseman. With two Avengers movies coming up, it's possible that Namor will embark on a redemption journey from villain to anti-hero, which means fans will be seeing much more of Huerta in future MCU projects.