A complicated rights issue prevented Marvel Studios from introducing Namor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for many years, but the aquatic anti-hero finally made his debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Narcos actor Tenoch Huerta played the character, who started out as an enemy of Shuri (Letitia Wright), before forming an uneasy alliance with Wakanda's new protector towards the end of the movie.
Last year, Huerta was hit with sexual assault allegations by saxophonist María Elena Ríos, who accused the actor of being a "sexual predator" in a series of Tweets.
The story was picked up and widely circulated online, and Huerta later released a statement (via Variety) categorically denying Rios' claims and calling them “false and completely unsubstantiated.”
“About a year ago, I dated Elena for several months,” Huerta wrote. “It was entirely consensual at all times, as countless others can attest. And throughout it was a loving, warm and mutually supportive relationship. After it ended, however, Elena began to misrepresent our interactions both privately and in front of groups of mutual friends.”
“As a result, a few months ago, I engaged a legal team to commence the appropriate actions to protect my reputation and refute these irresponsible and false accusations that can cause great prejudice and damage,” he continued. “Although I am by no means perfect, I know that these allegations are simply untrue. And while I will always work to improve myself, I need to contest claims that are both false and offensive.”
Huerta dropped out of his next project, a Netflix film titled Fiesta en la Madriguera, shortly after in order to "continue the process of restoring my reputation,” and we haven't heard much from him since.
Now, Daniel Richtman is reporting that a solo Namor project (we're not sure if it's a movie or Disney+ series) is in the works at Marvel Studios. There's no mention of Huerta, but is there a chance he'll be replaced in the role following these allegations?
Jonathan Majors was fired as Kang, but that was after he was convicted of assault, and, as far as we know, Huerta was never even formally charged.
At any rate, if this is accurate, the project is likely in the very early stages of development, but we'll be sure to update as soon as we find out more.
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livanalli.