Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduced a version of Marvel’s Illuminati to the MCU, but writer Michael Waldron has revealed the exciting reason Namor wasn’t amongst their ranks.
Marvel fans have been clamoring to see the MCU’s version of Namor, King of Atlantis, for a while now. Also known as the Sub-Mariner, this underwater antihero has served alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, having been a member of the Avengers, the Defenders and the Illuminati, but has also often come to blows with these same heroes. His position at the head of the Atlantean Royal Family often put Namor in conflict with Marvel’s surface dwellers, making him one of Marvel’s more conflicted and mercurial superheroes.
Rumors have been swirling that Namor could be introduced to the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, though Marvel Studios have not officially confirmed the character’s involvement in the movie. However, it is now looking more likely that Namor is on his way to the MCU soon, thanks to Michael Waldron. Talking recently to Variety about the process of writing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which was also eyed up by fans as a potential stage for Namor’s first MCU appearance, Waldron revealed why the Sub-Mariner was not included in the film’s version of the Illuminati and offered some hope that the character’s big-screen debut could be in the works:
“[We] talked about [Namor], because he’s certainly an original member of the Illuminati. But I think Marvel has other plans for him in the MCU. And so he didn’t make his way in this particular movie.”
Based on Waldron’s comments regarding Namor’s absence from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it sounds like another upcoming MCU project could already be set to introduce the Atlantean king. While the Doctor Strange sequel included plenty of surprise cameos, including the introduction of Mr Fantastic to the MCU, as played by John Krasinski, it sounds like Marvel didn’t want to give away all their upcoming characters in one movie. The rumors surrounding Namor’s inclusion in the Black Panther sequel have certainly gained further credibility in light of these comments.
Here is the synopsis for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness:
The MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
Directed by Sam Raimi from a script written by Michael Waldron, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stuhlbarg, Rachel McAdams, and Patrick Stewart.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is in theaters now. Stay tuned for all the latest news on the film and Namor’s MCU future, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.
Source: Variety
