Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Tenoch Huerta recently unpacked the relationship between Namor and T'Challa in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster.

Huerta discussed how Namor feels towards the ruler of Wakanda, portrayed in earlier MCU movies by the late Chadwick Boseman, in an interview with Black Girl Nerds. "Well, my character [Namor], and personally, it is fun, because my character has a deep admiration for Black Panther… T'Challa… But, me as an actor and as a simple human being, what Chadwick means -- so powerful, so deep, it's extraordinary," he said. "And it's… Yeah, it's a big inspiration. So, [on] different levels, in the fiction and the real life, [to] be part of this and feel his presence… through the legacy, through the people who [were] involved in this project is fantastic."

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"As I mentioned a moment before, it's like his shadow is [on] the wall," Huerta continued. "So you line the shadow, and then you put a lot of colors, and music, and love, and you are part of that because it's your colors as well. You know, your culture, your music is there, and it's beautiful [to] be part of that, you know what I mean?" Boseman died from cancer in August 2020 before principal photography on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever started. Marvel Studios opted not to recast the Black Panther role and writer-director Ryan Coogler ultimately reworked the sequel's script to incorporate T'Challa's own death, instead.

Namor Finally Arrives in the MCU

The legacy of both Black Panther and the actor who played him loomed large in the first Wakanda Forever trailer, which premiered at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. The trailer also prominently featured Huerta's Namor, finally putting an end to months of speculation that the legendary Marvel anti-hero would make his MCU debut in the movie. Namor isn't referred to by name in the trailer, however, fans identified him immediately thanks to the comics-inspired green swimming trunks sported by Heurta in at least one shot.

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Heurta later opened up about what it was like to join the MCU as Namor, calling it an "amazing" experience. "I mean, everybody pretends to be a superhero or to be part of [these] movies, and then you are part of them, and then you are the superhero, and then you are wearing the costume. And it's your skin, your voice, your range, your talent, your story. I don't know, it's overwhelming," he said.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on Nov. 11, 2022.

Source: YouTube