Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actor Tenoch Huerta continued to make perplexing comments about his character that goes by the name of Namor in the upcoming Marvel Studios film.
In September, it was confirmed the character he plays in the movie was eschewing its Atlantean roots with Empire explaining, he will be the ruler of a kingdom called Talocan and it will “be inspired by the culture and history of Mesoamerica.”
Huerta justified the change telling the outlet, “You can take Atlantis from Greek myth, or you can adapt from a real culture.”
He elaborated on this comment while speaking with Entertainment Weekly saying, “You can research whatever culture you want, but if you have people from that culture and they have that knowledge and experience — not just from books, but from being alive — the approach is totally different.”
He added, “That’s what inclusion means. It’s not just putting some brown-skinned people in front of the camera or giving them an important role. It’s how you’re creating the movie. Who is directing? Who is writing? What is the voice of the production of the movie?”
However, most perplexing was his comments about what he described as the most important twist about the character
He told Entertainment Weekly, “Maybe the most important twist in the character is that he’s not a selfish person.”
“He’s taking care of a community. He’s not an individualist. He’s part of a tribe,” Huerta elaborated.
This is perplexing because this isn’t a twist, it’s a description of Namor’s personality from the comics. Even if you go back to the first appearance of Namor in Marvel Comics #1, Namor is attacking the white man in order to seek vengeance for his people.
Namor’s mother, Fen, makes it clear when she says, “It is your duty to lead us into battle! You have begun well, but you must use strategy and great care ~ go now to the land of the white people!”
RELATED: Namor Actor Tenoch Huerta: “I Wouldn’t Be Here Without Inclusion”
In the first issue of The Sub-Mariner in 1968, Namor fights for his people against the villain, Destiny, who is using his mental powers to attack the Atlanteans.
Namor lashes out at Destiny, “Tested? Then, you slaughtered my warriors…leveled much of my homeland…for a mere trial? As exalted Neptune is my witness, you shall pay for such monumental villainy.”
Even in more recent stories, Namor fights for his people. In Chip Zdarsky’s Namor: The Best Defense, Namor makes it clear he loves his people saying, “I love my people, but they don’t know the surface-dwellers as I know them. Time is of the essence.”
While Huerta is claiming Namor’s personality that is reflected in the comics is somehow a twist for the film, the film’s director Ryan Coogler seemingly indicated Namor will be as Namor always is describing him to Entertainment Weekly, “He’s always been really cool and charismatic, but also arrogant.”
Coogler added, “He’s kind of an a**hole, kind of romantic, and just incredibly powerful.
Coogler also discussed the character’s radical new costume bizarrely claiming it lines up with his comic book depictions.
“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,” Coogler told Entertainment Weekly. “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.”
However, a teaser trailer, a full trailer, a number of stills, and posters indicate the character looks nothing like the comic book version.
Yes, he might have the wings on his feet, but the comic book version of Namor does not include swim trunks, a gaudy neck piece, or a giant WWE-style belt. He also wields a trident, not a spear. Needless to say he also doesn’t wear a giant head piece.
What do you make of these comments by Tenoch Huerta and Ryan Coogler regarding Namor?
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