Tenoch Huerta’s Namor became one of the best-explored villains for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leading to an evergrowing fanbase. His entire development as a character and the way his dynamics fluctuated with almost every character that he interacted with was a sight to behold. The submariner’s moral concepts made fans question their own standing; making him a character who was grey, rather than black or white.
There were numerous factors that made him the perfect villain for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This even led the first mutant to be the top choice for the scriptwriters to have him as the antagonist rather than anyone else. However, there may have been a possibility that others were waiting in line to get their turn against the Wakandans.
Also Read: “It honestly affects us more”: MCU Boss Admits Not Having Namor Movie Rights is Hurting Disney
Doctor Doom May Have Been Second In Line After Namor
Namor was easily one of the strongest most complex villains that fans have come across within the MCU. However, in an interview with Rolling Stones Magazine, co-screenwriter, Joe Robert Cole revealed that although Tenoch Huerta‘s character was always their top choice, there had been many others who had been shortlisted to make it into the movie.
There have been rumors circulating for quite a long time now regarding the introduction of Doctor Doom within the cinematic universe, and there was a high chance of the same to be much quicker than anticipated as he might have almost become the antagonist of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Especially seeing that the both him and Black Panther have fought each other multiple times in the comics.
Doom is necessarily a primary villain for the Fantastic Four, however, there have always been ties between the submariner and him. Avengers: Secret Wars will already be one of the biggest Marvel movies, and the comics of the same do include Doctor Doom often enough. Similarly, Reed Richards’ appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness gave hope to many fans that perhaps Ryan Coogler’s movie would involve the character in some way.
Namor Became The Perfect Villain For Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
If whether or not Doctor Doom was to be the villain of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Namor truly proved that he was not just the rightful King of Talokan, but also the King of multiple fans’ hearts. His chemistry with Shuri was beautifully built and fluctuated according to the situation at hand. This was further seen in his love for his people and his underwater land. Even as a mutant, he was shown to be one with the Talokanians, respected highly, and trusted even more so.
Tenoch Huerta too played his part in bringing life to the character. He made the character his own so the character could showcase his power against a nation that is otherwise regarded as the strongest nation in the world. Namor brought Wakandans to their knees and gave Shuri an opportunity to grow and mature with her people and for her people, making her, in the process, Wakanda’s Black Panther.
Source: Rolling Stones Magazine
