In a wonderful new function interview with Spanish-language publication Life and Style, Tenoch Huerta admits that when Ryan Coogler provided him the a part of Namor in Black Panther sequel Wakanda Forever, he didn’t know learn how to swim—a key ability for the ruler of Atlantis.

02:57

10 Horror Docs You Should Watch Part 2

Yesterday 6:40PM

When requested whether or not or not he might, “I replied that I had never drowned and went back to my managers.” Regardless of whether or not or not swimming was an element, he knew that if he mentioned he didn’t know learn how to swim he may not be given the half. So he simply went with it. “Jamás decimos que no y luego ya vemos qué pedo,” Huerta mentioned; colloquially translated, it means, “We just say yes and then go see what’s up.” He arrived in Atlanta able to go. Eight months of swim classes paid off.

The complete function is an unimaginable evaluation of the colorism and racism on the coronary heart of the Mexican movie business, and the way Huerta sees his function as a frontrunner for dark-skinned Mexicans in cinema. He’s writing a e-book about colorism in Mexican cinema, scheduled to be revealed later this 12 months. Huerta just isn’t solely nicely conscious of his place to enact change, however is actively looking for methods to push the narrative ahead.

During filming, he mentioned that he was revered as a collaborator. He was given house to enact real-world antiracist messaging over the course of the shoot. And Namor? Huerta is thrilled that he bought the prospect to assist affect such a rebellious character. “In the comics, Namor is anti-capitalist and anti-colonialist. He’s a chairo,” a progressive revolutionary. As the Life and Style function notes, it’s most likely not a coincidence.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11.

Want extra io9 information? Check out when to count on the most recent Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on movie and TV, and every part it’s good to learn about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.