Namor and Shuri clearly shared a connection in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but was it romantic in nature? Some fans seem to believe so, and have been "shipping" the characters online since the movie's release, but star Tenoch Huerta doesn't really see it that way.
If you haven't seen the movie yet, major spoilers ahead.
Though they ultimately become foes when the Talokan king kills Shuri's mother, Ramonda, Namor and the new Black Panther do have a couple of intimate scenes together earlier in the sequel. Kukulkán recounts his origin in the hope of forging an alliance with Shuri and the Wakandans, and the pair share common ground as "broken people" doing everything they can to protect their respective civilizations.
During an interview with Rolling Stone, Huerta was asked if there might have been a spark between Namor and Shuri before everything fell apart in the final act.
"I don’t feel it was a romantic touch [between them]. I think it was more a human, intimate touch. I mean in the history of their kingdoms, the history of their people, they share the same root, and the threat comes from the same place for both of them, for the same reason. They both face threats from Western countries like the United States and France in the story, because of vibranium, natural resources. I think they connect in that aspect."
In the end, Shuri spares her enemy's life and they form an alliance - but it's strongly hinted that Namor will only honor the truce as long as the Panther and Wakanda are useful to Talakon.
What did you guys make of Namor and Shuri's connection? Did you get any romantic vibes from their scenes together? Be sure to let us know in the comments section (you can check out our review here).
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.