They call him K’uk’ulkan, that’s Namor the Feathered Serpent. At least, we see M’Baku (Winston Duke) make that claim in the new trailer for Wakanda Forever. In the new mythology for Talocan (replacing Atlantis from the comics), it even makes sense. As was retconned in the comics, Namor (Tenoch Huerta) is a mutant. No one has seen something like him before, and as the rest of his people are blue-skinned, everything about him looks different.
Whatever you call him, he’s dangerous. While Wakanda grieves, he prepares for war. Why? Fans have speculated that a secret villain manipulates him. That could be true, and will allow for him to find an easier redemption in the MCU than the Scarlet Witch might get. Speaking of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe should note that we get a glimpse of Riri Williams (Dominique Thorn) in Ironheart armor. No doubt she’ll be collaborating with Shuri (Letitia Wright) on a more powerful suit for the Black Panther. And the Wakandans need someone who can fly against Namor the feathered serpent.
I will be honest, though — I wish the CG of Namor flying didn’t look so much like CG and like Spider-Man jumping from building to building. He’s a powerful king. Just as they show him majestically rising and descending in the water, his battle flight should look elegant. Don’t change it now, Marvel. Those special effects guys have been working hard enough. For the next time…
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in theaters November 11, 2022.
