2. Why Namor Would Be The Perfect Antagonist For A Black Panther Sequel
Marvel Comics
Although it might seem short-sighted to root Namor's introduction in a conflict with Wakanda, given the bulk of his history is tied up in various other characters, it's too great an opportunity for Marvel to pass up.
Ryan Coogler's first superhero film concluded with Wakanda breaking from its isolationist tradition to share its gifts with the outside world. By taking a more active role, this could potentially inspire Atlantis to take a similar position, and for diplomatic relations between the two nations to sour if there are any ecological implications from Wakanda expanding its horizons.
Black Panther 2 could even revolve around Namor and T'Challa trying to find a way for peace while both countries seem inevitably drawn to confrontation. If not that, then they'll at least become reluctant allies by the end. Remember, Namor isn't a villain so much as he is an anti-hero, and a reluctant ally to the surface world.
A Black Panther sequel could introduce all of those elements, and illustrate all the potential challenges that await a more open Wakanda.
WhatCulture's very own resident movie guy, Ewan has been working in the content creation biz for over 10 years now, having started as a freelance contributor to WhatCulture Gaming all the way back in 2015. After graduating with a First-Class Honours in History from Northumbria University in 2017 (where he won a prize for a totally killer dissertation on the Watergate years), Ewan took on the role of Comics Editor at WhatCulture and quickly developed WhatCulture Comics into one of the biggest superhero-focused channels on YouTube. He followed this with a brief hiatus at Screen Rant in 2021, where he worked across the Gaming and Film sections as a writer and editor, before returning to WhatCulture as a Senior Content Producer / Presenter in 2023. He started his own podcast, We Love Dad Movies, in 2022, and has contributed several written pieces to the Eisner-nominated comics website Shelfdust as well.
In his current role, Ewan incorporates his love of cinema, comic books, and history into written pieces and video essays for WhatCulture's Film & TV channel, as well as WhatCulture Gaming and WhatCulture Horror, with a particular focus on nineties-era Dad Movies, old school Westerns, and Golden Age Hollywood Noir. John Carpenter is his fave, and he thinks Batman Beyond should never have been cancelled. If that's your vibe, you'll probably like his stuff.
