In Marvel’s jam-packed lineup for phase four, soon to hit theatres on November 11th is none other than Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Its predecessor set expectations to a massive height for this movie and the MCU too didn’t shy away from giving us the sub-mariner himself, Namor.
Black Panther 2 gives us a feud between Wakanda and Atlantis. The two nations seem to be fighting a war, along with a brand new character taking up the mantle of Black Panther. The protector of Wakanda, along with the entire royal family and their court, faces the people beyond the surface of the water in a most anticipative manner.
Tenoch Huerta’s View of the Feud in Black Panther 2
In the eyes of the actor playing Namor, Tenoch Huerta, he believes that the Wakanda vs. Atlantis battle is what can also be seen as a war in America between minorities. In a recent interview at the D23 Expo, Huerta gave a statement regarding his views and portrayal that the movie and its directors give.
His views, as a Mexican actor, are that he could never imagine himself playing a superhero on the big screen let alone be adored by fans of this number. However now, to see himself be a part of the MCU and actually play Namor, the first mutant is what he considers to be rather awarding. He felt that he could have been overlooked by many other brown actors which was not the case.
“It portrays what is happening here in the States, from my perspective, between the minorities of this country,” said the actor.
Huerta remarks that the feud is satirical in nature with all the similarities the two nations have amongst them that the conflict then ended with how they should all join forces at some point.
Marvel’s Approach Towards Culture
Originally meant to be only a mutant from under the sea, now Namor represents a lot more and the movie too holds itself in a position where everyone sitting in the audience can find themselves or feel themselves to be represented.
Black Panther and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings were probably where the representation of culture truly set afoot for the MCU. Now with the second movie for the former set to release soon enough, Winston Duke, the actor who plays M’Baku, too has much to say.
“In the MCU fashion, we’ve grounded it in real cultural significance and cultural traditions,” he presented.
Ryan Coogler’s Depiction of Culture In Black Panther
Director of both Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ryan Coogler‘s vision for culture and representation has truly been astonishing to see. His grip on reality and realistic issues while creating something fictional have its own blend and impact.
The Atlanteans are said to be representing the Latinx culture and Coogler’s view, Huerta’s charisma, and the entire returning cast of the movie can build us a fictional world so close to reality that we all can see ourselves in it.
Source: Bounding Into Comics
