Wonder Man: Marvel surprises with a superhero series that hates superheroes

I’ve always said that I like it best when Marvel breaks their own rules. But, with Wonder Man, it’s shattered their box and, in the process, have created something truly wonderful.

In Wonder Man, we follow the journey of aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who is struggling to find his footing in the Hollywood machine. However, after a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley), Simon discovers that legendary filmmaker Von Novak is reviving the superhero franchise, Wonder Man, for the big screen. Having grown up as a longtime fan, Simon becomes obsessed with pursuing the role with confidence, except for the fear that his personal secret might be discovered and ruin his career.

Co-created by Daniel Destin Cretton and Andrew Guest, Wonder Man feels completely different from almost everything else that Marvel has produced in recent years. In a lot of ways, this feels more like The Studio or Episodes than it does WandaVision or Loki. While it still has their trademark sense of humour, Wonder Man carries itself with a self-deprecating introspection about trying to make it in Hollywood.

Yes, it’s set in a world of superpowers and Avenging heroes. But Simon Williams isn’t a man who wants to save the world. He feels no responsibility for anyone other than himself (and his lack of real friends is proof of this). His primary goal is to make it in Hollywood. And, viewing it as the first step towards superstardom, Simon’s passion to be a part of the latest Wonder Man movie stems from his family. Even so, he wants to accomplish this all while keeping his personal life private.

And, in the midst of it all, Simon’s struggling to hold himself together.

As a result, Wonder Man is ultimately a story about humanity instead of super-humanity. Focused entirely on the lives of its characters, the show emphasizes their emotional struggles and family relationships as opposed to any grander notions of morality. There’s no mustache-twirling villain or global threat. In fact, Wonder Man barely even uses any superpowers at all.

In other words, this is the superhero series for people who don’t care about superheroes.

And actually, this is also a world that doesn’t seem to like superheroes as well. Or, more correctly, they don’t like them interfering with their daily lives. In this world, otherworldly abilities are even considered a liability, potentially putting human lives at risk. (And, after countless alien invasions and multi-versal attacks, who can blame them?)

As a result, keeping his ‘secret’ under wraps becomes the driving force in this world and Simon is terrified that being fully ‘known’ would derail his plans for success. It’s worth noting as well that Abdul-Mateen II does a wonderful job as Williams, giving his character a seriousness about the ‘craft’ that makes him relatable. His drive to fame pushes him forward but, at the same time, the shame that he feels for his ‘other life’ holds him back.

But, dealing with his own drama is the returning Sir Ben Kingsley as broken-down actor, Trevor Slattery. Honestly, to say that it’s unexpected that Kingsley has become a staple of the MCU is an understatement. In now, his (technically) fourth appearance as Trevor, Kingsley has made this actor-turned-terrorist into one of the franchises most interesting walk-on characters. And, in Wonder Man, I would even argue that he becomes beloved.

Here, Slattery’s passion for acting is allowed to step to the forefront. While the comedy is still very much present, Kingsley brings out his character’s heart. Serving as a mentor and friend to Abdul-Mateen II’s Simon, Kingsley makes Trevor more than a comedic sidekick. Here, he becomes a father figure, shaping Simon’s performances and his personal journey. This sort of role is far more suited to an actor of Kingsley’s level than his faux-Mandarin once did, giving him material that he can use to make Trevor Slattery feel more authentic.

And one simply can’t overstate the sheer joy of watching Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley together onscreen. In a beautiful bromance, the two men balance out one another’s performances and elevate them simultaneously. Though both characters are dealing with very different struggles, their journey alongside one another helps them find hope that they wouldn’t experience otherwise. They’re funny and honest in ways that make Wonder Man genuinely delightful.

For all of these reasons and more, Wonder Man is Marvel’s most delightful small screen surprise in years. Without the emphasis on fantastic abilities, the series often remains grounded on its characters, even in moments of broad MCU-brand comedy. Built upon the back of delightful performances by its leads, this is a series with heart that stands on its own. In short, as Trevor would say, it’s a wonder that I never saw coming.

The entire series of Wonder Man is available on Disney+ on Tuesday, January 27^th, 2026.