Written by Edwin Francisco and Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Namor the Sub-Mariner may not be the villain in the next Black Panther movie.
In November 2020, Geekosity Editor-in-Chief Mikey Sutton scooped that the White Tiger would be the main foe in the sequel.
Moreover, he was likely who Narcos: Mexico actor Tenoch Huerta signed for.
Last month, a casting agency in Atlanta, Georgia posted a casting call for a Mexican village in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Is this Atlantis, a reimagining of the mythical city as an Aztec civilization?
Furthermore, rumors flew that Mexican actress Mabel Cadena was cast as Namora to Huerta’s Namor, her cousin.
While somewhat plausible, none of it was confirmed.
Sources revealed that Marvel Studios planned Namor as the film’s villain prior to star Chadwick Boseman’s death.
The sequel will now have to balance paying homage to Boseman’s passing while addressing who inherits the mantle.
Adding the introduction of one of Marvel Comics’ oldest and biggest icons seems overstuffed.
That doesn’t seem like Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige’s style.
Image: Marvel Studios
It’s not impossible but we’re a bit skeptical on Namor. After all, who will fight him?
If Shuri (Letitia Wright) is the new Black Panther, does she have the training and power set to battle Namor?
Moreover, this casting call may hint at a character similar to the Black Panther: the White Tiger.
Marvel has always wanted diversity in their comics.
The White Tiger is one of the heroes that represented the Hispanic community.
The White Tiger uses the Amulet of Power.
That enhances all human abilities plus it gives the White Tiger animal-like senses.
In addition, it provides the White Tiger the ability to blend in the surroundings.
There are a few different versions of the White Tiger.
All of them come from the same family lineage.
The first one was Hector Ayala.
Ayala is officially the first Puerto Rican in Marvel Comics history.
His niece, Angela del Toro, then became the new White Tiger.
Could Cadena be del Toro instead?
Namor Might Not Be Black Panther’s Next Villain
While there are two other versions of the White Tiger, none of them used the Amulet of Power.
One of them was actually a white Bengal tigress which evolved into a woman of East Indian descent.
Then there is Kasper Cole.
Cole acquired Black Panther-like abilities.
He stole the Black Panther’s costume and got a synthesized version of his magical herbs.
It would make sense for Cole to appear in an attempt to steal the Black Panther’s identity.
The White Tiger appearance might fit into how Black Panther will move forward.
Including more diverse characters is something Marvel Studios is making sure that they are trying to do right.
So far, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) lead that pack.
It’s also possible that they may only hint of Namor and not dive into it now.
It’s just a matter of when.
Related: Black Panther Spin-Off Headed to Disney Plus
