1 Doomsday Character Has Me Convinced That This Massive Namor Twist Is About To Happen

The inclusion of Attuma in Avengers: Doomsday could be an important clue about Namor’s MCU status. Given his limited role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, not much attention has been given to the fact that Alex Livinalli will be reprising his role as the Talokanil warrior in Avengers: Doomsday.

His presence, along with Namora’s, adds to the picture two familiar faces from Namor’s corner of the MCU when the main characters of Avengers: Doomsday – or Doctor Doom – inevitably come to Talokan for help. And while it’s easy to presume that both Namora and Attuma will fill roles similar to the ones they held in their debut film, it’s possible that one – or both – will help facilitate a much bigger twist.

Attuma Is Namor’s Biggest Villain In Marvel Comics

Attuma is depicted as an ally to Namor in the MCU, even though this stands in stark contrast to how he’s characterized in Marvel Comics. Rather than a loyal subordinate, Attuma is Namor’s greatest adversary in the source material, having fought him multiple times through their long, shared history.

First appearing in Fantastic Four #33 in 1964, Attuma is the leader of a faction of Atlanteans that live apart from Namor’s kingdom in isolation. However, Attuma has long had aspirations of leading his people back to Atlantis and seizing the throne for himself. As a result, he’s had a long list of battles with Namor, with control of Atlantis typically being at the heart of his ambitions in the comics.

Eventually, Attuma got what he wanted, temporarily becoming the King of Atlantis during Marvel’s “Fear Itself” crossover event in 2011.

Attuma’s MCU Role Supports The Idea That Namor Could Lose Control Of Talokan

Given Attuma’s comic history, it goes without saying that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever went in a completely different direction in terms of its approach to the character. In fact, there’s such striking differences that it’s worth wondering why Marvel chose Attuma specifically for the role the character ultimately fills in the film.

One possible explanation pertains to the endgame it may have in mind for Attuma. With such a key Namor comic villain so close to the Sub-Mariner in the MCU, the prospect of a betrayal and a change in leadership shouldn’t be ruled out. Such a twist would allow Attuma to become a more accurate version of the Marvel villain, and in turn, justify the use of the character in Wakanda Forever.

What’s more, Namor getting ousted from within Talokan wouldn’t be out of left-field. This outcome was set up by Wakanda Forever when Namora discussed her displeasure with Namor’s alliance with Shuri. This clearly positioned Talokan to experience a period of political unrest, which could culminate in certain figures plotting his removal.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s ending could be a hint that Namora will be involved, but Attuma’s comic roots make him an even stronger candidate for the role of a traitor. He’s a character that’s always valued strength, so it would make sense for an MCU incarnation of Attuma to see his king’s retreat from his position and defeat at the hands of Shuri as proof that Namor is a weak leader.

Attuma usurping Namor – or helping Namora to depose him – could be an event that transpires off-screen before Doctor Doom’s rise in Avengers: Doomsday. Or, it could be the final domino to fall in a chain of events that started in Wakanda Forever. Helping the Avengers or Shuri could trigger Attuma’s decision, and set the stage for a comic accurate showdown.