Namor the Sub-Mariner is nearing his MCU debut, and fans are shocked by his near-perfect comic book look. In the second trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we got the best look yet at the character, and he seems so close to his comic book counterpart.
When adapting a character like this, it’s easy to change some of the more ridiculous aspects that made him famous. For Namor, his original look is a bit campier than what Marvel usually aims for, but director Ryan Coogler sees no shame in that.
In a new trailer breakdown for IGN, the Wakanda Forever filmmaker says if you want to bring Namor to life, you need to make it to include the fun. Coogler explains that he tried to embrace the stranger sides of Namor’s character, including wings on his ankles and pointy ears.
“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. [Namor’s] got really unique features and things that don’t necessarily go together, says Coogler.
“He can breathe underwater, obviously, but he’s got these little wings on his ankles,” Coogler continues. “He’s got pointy ears and walks around in his underwear. It’s all fun, man.”
SEE ALSO: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s latest trailer
While Namor sees a change to his origin, going for a more Aztec-inspired approach, it’s nice to see a filmmaker find a way to blend comic book motifs with cinematic stylings.
In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke),Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever reunites Ryan Coogler with his Black Panther stars Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Florence Kasumba, Angela Bassett, and Martin Freeman, while new additions include Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart, Tenoch Huerta as Namor, Michaela Coel as Aneka, and Lake Bell, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli in as-yet-unrevealed roles.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled for release on November 11th, 2022.