The following contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, now in theaters.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, with much of the now concluded Phase Four focused on introducing new characters and concepts. That has included the confirmation that mutants exist within the universe, with the latest confirmed mutant hinting at the full scope of mutants in the MCU. Namor's revelation that he's a mutant in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a big deal because his new origin story confirms that mutants have been a part of the MCU for centuries, allowing certain members of the X-Men to have already been alive in the universe all along.
How Does Black Panther 2 Confirm Namor Is a Mutant
Namor's comic origins -- which, on a surface level, are similar to the backstory for DC's Aquaman -- have been tweaked for the MCU. Wakanda Forever reveals Namor was born centuries before the present day. In the 16th century, as Spanish Conquistadors ravaged the lands now commonly referred to as Latin America, a tribe struggled to escape the dangers posed by the invaders. Searching for a key to his tribe's survival, one man located a flower underwater, unknowingly growing from vibranium, similar to the Heart-Shaped Herb that would go on to empower the Black Panthers across the history of Wakanda. The resulting serum changed the people -- forcing them into the oceans and away from land.
One woman -- Namor's mother -- was pregnant at the time and wary about ingesting the serum out of fear for her unborn child. But she was convinced when she received a vibranium bracelet, which further changed the baby inside her. When she eventually gave birth to her son, it became clear that he was unique. Unlike other members of the Talokan community, Namor's skin did not become blue upon reaching the surface. He was born with unique physical attributes, like his pointed ears and the wings at his ankles that grant him the ability to fly. He also proved even stronger than his countrymen and was granted an extended life span. In the film, Namor calls this a "mutation," setting him up clearly as a major piece of the puzzle leading to the MCU X-Men.
Namor Opens the Door for Other Mutants in the MCU
Since it was confirmed that the X-Men would eventually be coming to the latest big screen rendition of the Marvel Universe, fans have wondered how the universe would incorporate them. Theories have ranged from mutants being the result of Thanos using the Infinity Gauntlet to an after-effect of Scarlet Witch's powers affecting the world on a global scale. Deadpool 3 even seems to be taking a somewhat meta approach to the concept, bringing Hugh Jackman back as Wolverine. However, others have argued the longevity of mutants across Marvel's history presents too many advantages and characters and that mutants should simply be a part of the MCU's history all along -- one that's just never been publicly known until the present day.
Now, it seems like Wakanda Forever has confirmed that the latter theory might be close to reality. Namor's new backstory means that mutants have been more or less a part of the MCU the entire time, just removed from view. That sets up the possibility that other mutants with extended life spans (like Wolverine, Mystique and Kang's old rival Apocalypse) might also already be in the MCU, either in hiding or simply operating behind the scenes. The expansive nature of the MCU means it's entirely possible that there are even more mutants across the universe, unaware of their true genetic connection to people like Namor. While Namor's role in Wakanda Forever isn't largely focused on his status as a mutant, it does seem to indicate that the universe won't be introducing mutants through some external force -- and that the seeds of the X-Men have been a part of this world all along.
To see the MCU's newest mutant in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, now in theaters.