Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has already caused comic fans to comment by reimagining Namor the Sub-Mariner as an Aztec. He is not from Atlantis but from Talocan. Tlālōcān is described in several Aztec codices as a paradise, ruled over by the rain deity Tlāloc and his consort Chalchiuhtlicue, so was still soggy I guess. Also it is a theme park ride in Bhrul, German inspired by the Aztec god, with water jets & flame effects.
In an interview with Empire, the actor behind the scowl, Tenoch Huerta, revealed more and did confirm that one of the key parts of Namor’s lore will remain completely intact. He is a mutant. Speaking of the location changes, Huerta said:
“You can take Atlantis from Greek myth, or you can adapt from a real culture.”
Ryan Coogler chose Talocan, the ancient paradise described in Aztec writings. It turns out that Wakanda are directly responsible for the emergence of Namor, when T’Challa revealed Wakanda to the world at the end of Black Panther:
“[That] decision puts Talocan in jeopardy. And Talocan has to take action to protect themselves.”
Namor goes to Wakanda and finds a leaderless nation. In that same interview Kevin Feige revealed that there was a plan to tease Namor at the end of Black Panther with a post credits scene, never shot, showing wet footprints leading up to the throne of Wakanda.
Namor is frequently held up as one of the oldest superheroes and the first mutant. The coming of the mutants was hinted at in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Ms. Marvel. Their arrival has been inevitable since Disney purchased Fox, and in the process obtained the rights back to the characters.
