After watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Eternals director Chloé Zhao reveals she's a fan of the possible Shuri and Namor pairing. Shuri was the star of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, being next in line for the mantle of Black Panther after the death of her brother T'Challa. Original Black Panther Chadwick Boseman's untimely death left audiences in disarray, as well as his Marvel Studios family, who worked hard to make Black Panther: Wakanda Forever a project that honored Boseman in every way. The result was that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was one of the best depictions of grief in the genre.
Eternals director Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's original story was different, and the great job done by director Ryan Coogler on the rewrites after Boseman's death didn't go unnoticed by Zhao. She congratulated Coogler, stating the film was "an emotional ride." Zhao also let fans know that she felt the chemistry between Shuri and Namor when the Serpent God tried to get her to him. Zhao ended by sheepishly tagging AO3, a fanfiction website, suggesting she wants more from that possible romance. Check out the full post below:
Why A Namor & Shuri Romance Could Work
Following Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shuri's now the Black Panther and will have more responsibilities than ever in the new role, but that doesn't mean romance's out of the question for the character. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe likes to deviate from the comics, maybe a romance is what's in Namor's MCU future, and the similarities between him and Shuri, as presented by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, have set the stage for how a possible relationship between the duo might develop.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had both characters on an arc of learning to let go of their anger. Actors Letitia Wright and Tenoch Huerta gave all-star performances in the movie while also displaying electrifying chemistry in their scenes together. Shuri and Namor have a similar background, with their kingdoms, Wakanda and Talokan, being secluded to protect their people from the horrors of the outside world. Both Namor and Shuri are great leaders but are emotionally broken due to tragedies. T'Challa's death was still fresh for Shuri, and Namor carried years of experience in harrowing conflicts by the time both met.
That aspect makes Namor's gesture of giving Shuri his mother's bracelet, the only thing he had left of her after her death, even more, profound than a formal alliance pact. Namor lets Shuri into his inner core after taking her for a tour through Talokan and telling his life story, showing her a vulnerable side that the Talokanil hadn't likely seen yet from their leader. Namor notes that, as he asks forgiveness from his people for letting Riri escape, claiming the potential partnership with Shuri blinded him. At the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shuri lets go of her rage, both from T'Challa's death and Namor indirectly killing her mother Ramonda, and chooses not to kill Namor. Shuri and Namor strike a truce and stand side-by-side in front of their people. A possible romance spinning out of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever wouldn't be far-fetched.
Source: Chloé Zhao/Instagram
