El Impactante Personaje de “Namor” en Wakanda Forever Para Los Latinos
With the anticipated release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to the popular film Black Panther, there as an importance to a specific character that should be further reinforced even after the movie’s release: Namor. Also known as the Sub-Mariner in the marvel comics, Namor made his live-action film debut in the new Black Panther film.
Image credit to Marvel Comics
Played by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta, the character’s history and origin was altered for his appearance in the film. The change to the character’s culture and origin was met with positive reactions, but also worries and mixed reactions to the changes. Namor made his comic book debut in April 1939, and two years later the DC Comic’s character, Aquaman, made his first comic book appearance. Despite Namor’s character having been published sooner, Aquaman has by far been the more popular character, with many considering him to be the original iteration of the character and not Namor. Although as mentioned earlier, Namor made his appearance first, he had yet to appear in a live-action film until today. Dedicated Marvel fans have long sought for the character to get his shot in a live-action production, and now they are getting their wish.
The release and reception of Aquaman likely lead the filmmakers behind Wakanda Forever to adjust and adapt a similar character in a different manner. The changes to the character in the film included his background and home origin. In the comics, the character lives in the fictional island/city of Atlantis. In the film, Namor hails from Talocan (Tlālōcān), a fictional underwater nation with connections and ties to the ancient history of Mesoamerican legends and culture. To fit into the storyline and mythology, Namor is also known as K’uk’ulkan, the feather serpent god. However, the most glaring change to this character has been the color and race of the actor portraying the character. The character is portrayed in the comics as lighter and paler in skin tone, while actor Tenoch Huerta, of Mexican descent, is of darker complexion.
Image credit to Empire Magazine and Marvel Studios
The move to change the characters origin, race, skin-tone thankfully came with positive reception, but mixed emotions. For some, specifically via social media, the change brings inclusion and representation on the big screen, specifically for Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous communities. For others, the move shows that the studios behind the film do not respect the source material and look at the move as a way to be more racially inclusive (and remain relevant). Regardless of the decision, there is nothing wrong with the studio’s move for the movie, especially if their plan was to avoid the character of Namor being confused with Aquaman. There isn’t anything wrong with any studio or movie that wants to be more racially inclusive as people of color have long been underrepresented in all aspects of life and all forms of media, whether it be television, radio, newspapers/magazines, film, music.
Only recently have we seen an increase in representation, but we still a lack overall major representation. Films like Wakanda Forever aren’t just a way to invite people and communities who have longed to see themselves and their cultures represented on the big screen, but a way for others to see and learn about those people and their cultures. It’s not “woke” to want to be inclusive of all communities, and it’s not wrong to make changes if they work out anyway.
