Why the MCU’s Namor Is a Mesoamerican Mutant, Not Prince of Atlantis

Savas Abadsidis September 27, 2022

The latest issue of Empire magazine explores the world of Marvel Studio’s upcoming Wakanda Forever, the sequel to Black Panther, and explains why the Prince Namor we meet is a Mesoamerican mutant and ruler of Talocan not a prince of Atlantis.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Empire Magazine (@empiremagazine)

“You can take Atlantis from Greek myth, or you can adapt from a real culture,” argues actor Tenoch Huerta who plays Namor. He’s drawn to the surface by the ramifications of T’Challa’s decision in Black Panther’s final reel to reveal the truth of Wakanda to the world. “That decision puts Talocan in jeopardy,” Huerta explains. “And Talocan has to take action to protect themselves.”
One detail that is carrying over from the comics? According to Huerta, his Namor is indeed a mutant.

One of Marvel’s oldest characters, along with Captain America and the Human Torch, “it’s a chance to finally see one of the longest-running Marvel characters finally take to the big screen – though there were initial plans for Namor to be teased a few years ago. “Ryan had a pitch for a tag at the end of Black Panther,” Marvel boss Kevin Feige reveals. ‘The camera would push through the palace in Wakanda, and then we’d see wet footprints leading up to the throne.'”

The concept of Talocan comes from Aztec mythology and was an aspect of the afterlife associated with water.