Could Namor the Submariner Play a Part in the Currently Filming CAPTAIN AMERICA Scene?

Recent reports from the UK set of Marvel's Captain America have raised the question whether the resident Atlantean Invader plays an unexpected part in this week's filming.

Speculation has abounded regarding the inclusion of Namor, the Submariner, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Until recently, Universal Pictures held the film rights to the comic character. Just this year, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige conceded that Universal, who had also returned the film rights to the Hulk, "doesn’t have any" other Marvel characters at their disposal. With Namor now reverted back into comic company's hands, questions arose whether the studio will include him in Captain America: The First Avenger; currently filming in the United Kingdom. The obvious way to showcase the aquatic hero is as a member of the Invaders; an amalgam of WWII characters such as the original Human Torch, Blazing Skull, Miss America, Spitfire, Union Jack and Thin Man who fought alongside Allied forces throughout Europe. Captain America director Joe Johnston has confirmed that the Invaders will play a part in the last 2/3 of the film, and will more than likely be combined into one fighting force along with Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos. Though the roles will be minor, they should appease long time comic fans.

Now, the question remains how to properly introduce these unique characters into the film without taking emphasis away from it's title character: Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America. Several recent reports from UK residents who have been closely tracking the past few days of filming have revealed a conundrum. But first, here is the sequence of events that have been filmed over this week; and how they appear to play out in the movie:

- Downtown Manchester has been transformed into 1940's New York City, where Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) lived before his heroic life began, and where the U.S. Army has hidden the headquarters of the Super Soldier Program.

- Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) heads the program, which uses a combination of chemical supplements and "Vita-Rays" to turn Rogers into the specimen of peak human performance; Captain America.

- Unfortunately, immediately after the transformation is successful, Dr. Erskine is gunned down by Nazi/HYDRA saboteurs, who attempt to escape the secret compound (hidden within "Brooklyn Antiques") and reach the New York Harbor.

- Steve, now empowered with magnificent physical capabilities, pursues the assassins along with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), a covert operative working for the American government.

- The vehicle being used for the escape, a yellow taxi cab, is eventually cornered at the pier, the culprits confronted by Rogers; who amazingly caught up while only on foot.

This is where the reports become interesting. UK residents have spotted Captain America movie crews prepping and filming stunt work in both Manchester and Liverpool. Here are two of the most relevant descriptions, along with their accompanying photos:

'Crews are setting up for what looks like a big water stunt. Explosions and wirework. Saw a guy in black biker shorts and nothing else standing around the stunt crews freezing his ass. Heard the swim stunt in taking place on Sunday.'

'A sleek submersible was lowered off the dock and quickly covered by a large tarp...They was two men in suits running from a yellow car o the water back and forth, looked like it was a test run..no cameras were rolling.'

Now, I have not read the Captain America movie script but I would venture to guess that there isn't a scene where Rogers/Evans does a Micheal Phelps imitation and chases after the men via the waterway. Based upon these descriptions, though fairly vague, it leads one to assume the chase scene detailed above ends at the dock; more precisely, in the water. Then there is the mystery man seen on set modeling swimwear in 50°F weather. At this time, all signs don't point to Namor's appearance in this particular scene; but it is a fairly probable theory that this sequence could be used to introduce the character. If true, this would be a major reworking of the Marvel Comics mythology of both Captain America and Namor; though the two have integrally crossed paths before. For years, the two fought side by side on the European front of WWII as members of the Invaders. In modern times, Namor discovers Captain America frozen in ice. Though unaware of the possible repercussions of his action, the Atlantean hurls the small glacier into the Artic waters; which leads to Roger's discovery and eventual awakening.

For those fans who fear adding unnecessary characters to a superhero film may ruin it's focus, Captain America director Joe Johnston had this to say: ""The Invaders make a memorable appearance but the story is solidly about Steve Rogers, his origins, and how he becomes Captain America." Though Namor's role in the film, or lack thereof, is still unknown, more details are sure to emerge as the film continues production for the next several months.

Captain America: The First Avenger stars Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Haley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper Toby Jones and Neal McDonough. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on July 22nd, 2011.

Stay up to date all all the news, casting and rumors surrounding the film by visiting our Captain America: The First Avenger Movie Page

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