Namor’s Origin Completely Changed By An MCU Theory

There have been numerous cast and production leaks that point to the possibility that Marvel is rewriting the origin story of Namor by removing the

By Mabel Judith Andrady
June 4,2022
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There have been numerous cast and production leaks that point to the possibility that Marvel is rewriting the origin story of Namor by removing the entire set of Atlantis from the picture. Namor the Sub-Mariner is expected to be the main antagonist in the upcoming Black Panther film, although that hasn’t been confirmed yet. There has been a lot of debate about how the MCU intends to acclimate one of Marvel’s oldest characters.

As of this writing, the Avenging Son is undoubtedly the most significant Marvel Comics character that has never been portrayed in live-action prior to this. As a result of contractual issues, Namor’s solo film has been on hold. However, reports that the character will make his MCU debut in November 2022 are true. As far as Marvel’s long-term plans for him go, his extensive comic book history gives the studio a plethora of possibilities. He’s been a Defender, an Avenger, an X-Man, and an anti-hero, among other things. However, Marvel appears to be focusing on his kingdom’s longstanding feud with Wakanda, which dates back to the 1970s.

In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the people of Wakanda are expected to go to war with the submerged kingdom of Atlantis, which will be driven by Namor, in order to save their country. At the very least, Marvel may be secretly planning to take the Sub-Mariner in an unexpected direction. It’s possible that Black Panther 2 will not feature Atlantis at all. The MCU’s portrayal of Namor and his origin has some wondering if he’s from a distinct civilization.

Namor’s existence has already been hinted at by the MCU

Marvel Rumor Reveals Huge Plans for MCU's Underwater Hero, Namor
Marvel Rumor Reveals Huge Plans for MCU’s Underwater Hero, Namor

Namor’s introduction to the MCU was in the works for years. Iron Man 2 appears to have included a nod to the character. It was revealed that SHIELD was keeping a close eye on various locations on a map in one scene. These included Captain America’s resting place and the location where Thor’s hammer was found, as well as Wakanda, which was clearly marked as an Easter egg. Atlantis interpreted a marker in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as a hint, given that SHIELD was unlikely to have noticed anything else in the ocean.

There was a much more overt nod to Namor and Atlantis in Avengers: Endgame’s ending credits scene. An earthquake occurred off the coast of Africa during the movie. “We handle it by not handling it,” Okoye told Black Widow when she inquired about Wakanda’s reaction to the crisis.

If they were talking about Namor’s secret kingdom, the brief conversation about earthquakes seemed rather pointless on the surface. It was assumed that the line was an Atlantis Easter egg because Namor was the leading contender to face Black Panther. “Plant seeds” for Namor is what Stephen McFeely, a co-writer on Endgame, has confirmed since then.

An Aztec Atlantis May Be Namor’s Destination

Namor The Sub-Mariner
Namor

Now, it’s been theorized that Marvel will introduce Namor while also introducing the Aztecs as a new civilization. This theory is largely based on rumours about the character’s alleged casting. Tenoch Huerta is rumoured to have been cast as Namor. In Marvel Comics, Namor is usually depicted as either white or Asian, so a Mexican actor would be an excellent prospect. However, some have speculated that Huerta’s casting indicates that Namor’s people are of Mexican descent. Considering Atlantis’ location in the ocean, this may not work for the character, but Marvel could tie him to a Mesoamerican civilization like the Mayans or Aztecs.

Some speculate that Namor’s people could be retooled as the ancient Aztec gods in the MCU. Modern humans may have missed out on an underwater city that was once home to these gods. It’s possible that ancient people travelled to the surface and brought back myths like Quetzalcoatl, Huitzilopochtli, and Tlaloc. If that’s the case, Marvel Comics’ Atlanteans could be reimagined as an Aztec-inspired MCU society.

Furthermore, Marvel Comics would be able to distinguish Namor and his inhabitants in the DCEU from Aquaman and his people in Atlantis. Even though Namor’s personality and origin are vastly different from that of Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry, avoiding comparisons will be extremely difficult. After all, they’re both half-human kings of underwater cities called Atlantis with superhuman abilities. By removing Namor’s ties to Atlantis and replacing it with a new civilization, Marvel may make Aquaman’s Namor stand out in the MCU.

Black Panther 2 is Changing Atlantis

Namor And Shuri
Namor And Shuri

Namor-Aztec theory is backed by evidence from the Black Panther 2 set. The Aztec jaguar god Tepeyollotli is depicted in the design of a hat sported by the cast and crew. Including Aztec gods and Atlanteans as distinct groups in the movie seems highly unlikely, which suggests that Marvel may be making significant changes to Namor’s origin for the MCU if he is in the movie.

In support of these theories, a leaked concept art image for Namor has surfaced. With Aztec-inspired jewellery and other adornments, the image updates Namor the Sub-classic Mariner’s comic book look while still maintaining his iconic ankle wings and green trunks. For now, it is not clear whether or not the artwork is authentic.

That Namor’s separation from Aquaman was motivated by this proof and the possible motivations for doing so doesn’t seem so far-fetched. In addition, with Moon Knight and Thor: Love and Thunder, this shift is already plausible in Phase 4.

The fact that the Egyptian and Greek gods exist in the MCU strengthens the case for the inclusion of other mythological gods, such as the Aztec gods. Wakanda Forever: The Rise of Black Panther has the potential to not only adapt a well-known superhero but also to introduce an entirely new civilization to the MCU.