Black Panther 2 director Ryan Coogler defends the preservation of Namor’s comics-accurate design for his MCU debut, saying the genre requires “weird stuff.”
On the heels of the first good look at the character, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler speaks out in defense of keeping Namor’s comics-accurate design. In the next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the titular kingdom is rocked by the sudden death of King T’Challa, a story decision made to honor late star Chadwick Boseman. The various tribes of Wakanda will have to come together when rival nation Talocan attempts to invade as it remains without a Black Panther.
Tenoch Huerta, known for his work in The Forever Purge and Narcos: Mexico, will lead Talocan’s troops as their king, Namor. Huerta has teased that the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever The antagonist will retain some elements of his comic book counterpart, including being a mutant and being more of an antihero than an outright villain, with his character simply out to protect his people after being accidentally exposed to the outside world. The newly released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer offered much more for the public to learn about Namor, including a unique element that has left a sense of division.
In honor of the release of the new trailer, Ryan Coogler caught up with Weekly entertainment to provide new insight for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Looking at the film’s antagonist, the co-writer/director explained his decision to go for Namor’s comic-accurate design, namely his single wings, explaining that the comic book genre calls on filmmakers to “lean into the weird stuffSee what Coogler explained below:
I think you have to lean on the weird stuff when making these kinds of movies, otherwise you risk missing out on what makes it fun. He has really unique features and things that don’t necessarily go together. He can breathe underwater, of course, but he has those little wings on his ankles. He has pointy ears and walks around in his underwear. It’s all fun, man.
How Black Panther 2’s Namor is true to the comics
While previous looks at Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Having teased the character while retaining some of his comic book features, including his pointy ears, the reveal of his ankle wings in the new trailer came as a surprise to many audiences. In the comics, Namor possessed the ability to fly thanks to these wings, which were specifically mentioned as a mutation rather than a characteristic of Atlanteans. As the MCU finally dives into the world of mutants, as teased with the Mrs. Marvel finale confirming Kamala Khan is a mutant, it’s understandable that Coogler would want and get Namor’s ankle wings for the sequel.
Although Coogler has confirmed that: Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverNamor’s not from the kingdom of Atlantis in the movie, his dedication to preserving the rest of the character’s design and backstory is sure to be a promising sign for those eager to see his MCU debut. Plus, with Huerta’s previous teasing that Namor will be more of an antihero in the sequel, it seems Coogler and co-writer Joe Robert Cole have taken great care to bring the character to life on screen. Only time will tell how comic book fans will react to the character when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in theaters on November 11.
Source: EW
