Draft:Namor (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

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Namor
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
First appearanceBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Based onNamor the Sub-Mariner
by Bill Everett
Adapted by
Portrayed byTenoch Huerta
In-universe information
Nicknames
  • K'uk'ulkan (Feathered Serpent God)
  • El Nino sin Amor (The Child without Love)
  • Fishman
RaceTalokanii / Human-mutant hybrid
TitleKing of Talokan
Weapon
Family
OriginTalokan
NationalityMesoamerican
Powers and abilities
  • Superhuman strength, speed, durability, agility, senses, and reflexes
  • Marine life empathy, telepathy, and control
  • Flight via wings on his ankles
  • Aquatic adaptation
  • Hydrokinesis
  • Echolocation
  • Longevity
  • Fireproof

Ch'ah Toh Almehen,[1] otherwise known by his nickname Namor, is a fictional character portrayed by Tenoch Huerta in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise produced by Marvel Studios, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name created by Bill Everett. Namor is the first-born son and king of the underwater civilization known as Talokan who posesses human mutant physiology, enabling him traits such as superhuman strength, extended longevity, flight and a distinctive ability to breathe air and water simultaneously.

Worshipped as the Mayan god K'uk'ulkan among his people, Namor was born to his human mother Fen and developed a hatred of the surface world due to humans' tendencies to colonize and oppress innocents, motivating his desire to eventually attempt an alliance with the similarly isolationist nation of Wakanda once his kingdom is threatened by impeding world powers attempting to mine vibranium, using a detection device invented by MIT student Riri Williams. The latter nation's declination of partnership and protection of Williams prompts Namor and the rest of Talokan to wage war against Wakanda until its princess Shuri dons the mantle of the Black Panther, facing him in combat until he elects to yield and resolve their conflict peacefully, becoming an ally to the Royal Family.

Huerta made his debut as the character in the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). The character will return in the upcoming film Avengers 5 (2026).[2]

Concept and creation[edit]

Background[edit]

Conception[edit]

The character Namor The Sub-Mariner was first created by writer-artist Bill Everett for an appearance in a promotional comic titled Motion Picture Funnies Weekly published in April 1939 by Funnies Inc., that would be distributed as a commemorative item in movie theater chains. However only eight samples of the comic itself were able to be recovered at the estate of the since-defunct publisher in 1974.[3][4] Reports alleged that Everett's idea for Namor stemmed from his knowledge that fellow cartoonist Carl Burgos was creating a character named The Human Torch, whose powers involved fire manipulation, prompting Everett to create a juxtaposing character who would embody the notion of "fire and water", in conjunction with the author's own vested interest in "anything nautical, [and having] to do with the sea".[5] Everett would later elaborate on his inspiration behind the character's creation, insinuating that he made up the name "Namor" by writing examples of noble-sounding names backwards, concluding that Roman / Namor sounded the best. He would go on to describe his vision for the character as an "ultra-man of the deep [who] lives on land and in the sea, flies in the air, [and] has the strength of a thousand [surface] men".[6] When the idea of featuring his story in the giveaway comic failed to materialize, Everett would elect to repurpose the character for an appearance in Marvel Comics #1, the first comic book published by Funnies Inc. client Timely Comics, itself a direct predecessor to what would become Marvel Comics.[7][8]

Transition to Marvel Comics[edit]

In his earliest Marvel Comics appearances, Namor the Sub-Mariner was characterized by Everett as an enemy of the United States and the military. Comics historian Les Daniels described the character as a villain rooted in just causes, further suggesting that "His enthusiastic fans weren't offended by the carnage he created as he wrecked everything from ships to skyscrapers."[9] Namor would eventually partake in further stories under Marvel's discretion, including a confrontation with Burgo's Human Torch, and an eventual role as an aide to the Allies of World War II against the opposing Axis powers spearheaded by German dictator Adolf Hitler throughout the 1940's.[10] This period in time coupled with Namor being spun off into a standalone ongoing series titled Sub-Mariner from 1941 to 1949, would also introduce the character's principal supporting cast, including New York City Police Department officer Betty Dean in Marvel Mystery Comics #3, and his cousins Namora and Dorma.[11]

The character would eventually see a reduced publication towards the end of World War II and the concurrent dwindling popularity of superhero-based comic books at that time, but would see a formal reintroduction during the Silver Age of Comic Books and the formation of what would become the Marvel Universe in 1961, being reimagined by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby as a major recurring antagonist of the Fantastic Four upon his supporting appearance in Fantastic Four #4 (May 1962), in addition to being positioned as a romantic rival against team leader Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic for the affections of his wife Susan Storm / Invisible Woman.[12][13] The character would be further redefined as an antihero with complex morality during a storyline in Fantastic Four Annual #1 (June 1963), when he becomes vengeful towards the human race for destroying his domain--the underwater city of Atlantis, through nuclear testing, but also displaying nobility towards individuals he comes to respect.[14] Namor has since been established as a recurring character in both standalone and supporting narratives, appearing as a member of the Invaders during WWII, as well as organizations and teams in the Marvel Universe including the Avengers, Defenders, Defenders of the Deep, Heroes for Hire, Illuminati, All-Winners Squad, Deep Six and the Cabal, among various others.[15][16][17][18]

Soon after his reintroduction into the Marvel Universe continuity, Namor would then feature as a guest character in Lee and Kirby's The X-Men #6 (July 1964), where it would be retroactively established that the character was the first active mutant (Homo superior) in said continuity, initially allying himself with Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants to oppose the X-Men before defecting towards the end of the story, viewing his former friend as dishonorable.[19] Subsequent writers throughout the following decades would expand on his mutant heritage, classifying him as a mutant hybrid to distinguish him from purely mutant characters,[20] while he would be fully revealed as a hybrid of Atlantean (Homo mermanus) and human (Homo sapiens) physiology whose additional traits such as superhuman strength and durability, and the wings on his ankles that grant him flight, otherwise stem from his mutant genetics. Due to his shared background as a mutant, Namor would eventually be depicted as allying himself with various teams and organizations within the mutant community, namely serving as a member on the X-Men, X-Men Red, the Dark X-Men and the Phoenix Five.[21][22][23][24][25]

Prior attempts at adaptation[edit]

A film adapting Namor had entered development at various stages beginning in April 1997 at Marvel Studios. when filmmaker Philip Kaufman entered negotiations to direct a movie titled Namor: Sub-Mariner.[26] Kaufman's vison for the film would've addressed topics such as environmental issues by characterizing Namor as harboring "bad feelings" towards humans over their perceived contributions to ecological degradation.[27] Throughout summer 2001, screenwriter Sam Hamm expressed interest in the project and Universal Pictures began negotiations with Marvel over securing the character's film rights, with Avi Arad and Kevin Misher from Marvel Studios attached as producers. Arad particularly felt that the movie could become topical through its ability to address various real world crises such as oil spills, underwater bomb testing, pollution and global warming.[28]

Marvel Studios[edit]

Characterization[edit]

Fictional character biography[edit]

Reception[edit]

Kambole Campbell from Empire Online described Huerta's character as "a highlight, an imaginative adaptation of the veteran comics character, one who here speaks truth with convincing venom."[29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cole, Joe R., Coogler, Ryan (May 8, 2021). Black Panther: Wakanda Forever screenplay. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Jeff Loveness Breaks Down Film, Teases Avengers 5 (Exclusive)". Marvel. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  3. ^ Gustines, George Gene (2019-08-27). "The Sub-Mariner Turns 80. He's Still Super". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  4. ^ DeFalco et al. 2008, p. 11, chpt. "1939": "Writer/artist Bill Everett originally conceived Namor the Sub-Mariner in 1939 for an eight-page title called Motion Picture Funnies Weekly. Produced by Funnies Inc., this black-and-white magazine was intended to be handed out in movie theaters, but this idea fell through. So when Funnies Inc. packaged Marvel Comics #1 for Martin Goodman, Everett added four pages to his story, which finally saw print in color."
  5. ^ Bell 2010, p. 53
  6. ^ RAHAN, KALEON. "Namor the Sub-Mariner: First among Marvels". The Star. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  7. ^ Roy Thomas (w), Frank Robbins (p), Frank Springer (i), Don Dickens (col), Tom Orzechowski (let), Roy Thomas (ed). The Invaders, vol. 1, no. 20 (September 1977). Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ "[Sub-Mariner entry]". Marvel Comics Index. 1 (7B). Marvel Comics Group. 1978. Reprinted at Chivian, J. (ed.). "The Deep Six Project". Archived from the original on May 29, 2010.
  9. ^ Daniels 1991, p. 27
  10. ^ DeFalco et al. 2008, p. 18, chpt. "1940s": "Alex's Schomburg's powerful cover [to Sub-Mariner Comics #1] significantly showed Namor employing his incredible strength to overturn a German submarine full of Nazi soldiers."
  11. ^ DeFalco et al. 2008, p. 16, chpt. "1940s": "When the Sub-Mariner attacked New York City, policewoman Betty Dean undertook a courageous scheme to capture him."
  12. ^ DeFalco et al. 2008, p. 86, chpt. "1960s": "Stan Lee and Jack Kirbuy reintroduced one of Marvel's most popular Golden Age heroes – Namor, the Sub-Mariner."
  13. ^ Sanderson 2007, pp. 17–18
  14. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. pp. 17–18. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  15. ^ DeFalco et al. 2008, p. 61, chpt. "1950s": "Martin Goodman had been in talks with television executives about turning Namor's adventures into a live-action TV series, reportedly to star actor Richard Egan. However, negotiations wound up going nowhere, and, as a result, Sub-Mariner's extended lease on life came to an end with issue #42."
  16. ^ Tipton, Scott (May 12, 2004). "Under Pressure". Blastoff Comics. Archived from the original on November 1, 2006. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  17. ^ Stern, Roger; Ostrander, John (w), Ferry, Pasqual (p), Mendoza, Jaime (i). "Heroes and Villains" Heroes for Hire, no. 1 (August 1997).
  18. ^ Hickman, Jonathan (w), Walker, Kevin (p), Walker, Kevin (i). "All the Angels Have Fallen" The New Avengers, vol. 3, no. 23 (Oct. 2014).
  19. ^ As explained in the letters page of Sub-Mariner #31 (November 1970)
  20. ^ As explained in the letters page of Sub-Mariner #31 (November 1970)
  21. ^ Tramountanas, George A. (April 12, 2011). "X-Position: Stuart Moore Swims with Namor". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  22. ^ Aaron, Jason; Bendis, Brian Michael; Brubaker, Ed; Hickman, Jonathan; Fraction, Matt (w), Romita, John Jr. (p), Hanna, Scott (i). "Round 1" Avengers vs. X-Men, no. 1 (June 2012).
  23. ^ X-Men: Red #1. (February 7, 2018) Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ Avengers vs X-Men #1–12
  25. ^ Aaron, Jason; Bendis, Brian Michael; Brubaker, Ed; Hickman, Jonathan; Fraction, Matt (w), Romita, John Jr. (p), Hanna, Scott (i). "Round 5" Avengers vs. X-Men, no. 5 (August 2012).
  26. ^ Fleming, Michael; Fleming, Michael (1997-04-14). "A MANIA FOR MARVEL". Variety. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  27. ^ Writer, Laura Evenson, Chronicle Staff (1997-05-18). "SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE / Comics' Superpower To Turn Season's Movies Into Box-Office Gold / Hollywood raids DC's and Marvel's pantheons for their simple plots and boffo visuals". SFGATE. Retrieved 2023-01-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Stax (2001-06-09). "Sub-Mariner: The Movie". IGN. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  29. ^ Campbell, Kambole (November 9, 2022). "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Review". Empire Online. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.

External links[edit]

  • Namor on the Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki
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