The MCU's Newest Star Explains Why Disney+'s Upcoming Won...

New MCU Star Reveals The Secret Behind Upcoming Marvel Disney+ Show Yahya Abdul-Mateen III in Wonder Man on Disney+

Credit: Disney+ via MovieStillsDB

By El Kuiper Published 43 minutes ago El is a Senior news and reviews writer for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

One of the latest super-powered additions to the Marvel Television Universe, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, has revealed what makes the upcoming Disney+ miniseries Wonder Man so special. In Wonder Man, Abdul-Mateen stars as Simon Williams, an actor hoping to make it big in the upcoming "Wonder Man" remake, as an acclaimed and eccentric director looks to reboot an old, cheesy superhero flick.

Yes, this is a "superhero" show about making a superhero movie, with a twist: Abdul-Mateen's lead character, Simon Williams, is actually an actor-turned-superhero called Wonder Man in the comics, too. This is meta-storytelling on a level we've never seen in the MCU before. Aside from a blink-and-you'll-miss-it power tease in the latest Wonder Man footage, it would be easy to forget this is an MCU production at all, if not for one very familiar face — Sir Ben Kingsley.

In Empire Magazine's January 2026 issue, Abdul-Mateen revealed the true heart of Wonder Man's story: "The show is self-aware, without looking directly into the camera. There'll be commentary about superhero fatigue and things like that, but to me, it's just dressing. That's not really the aim of the show. The focus of the show is about an actor's journey. It's about a journey of friendship."

Ben Kingsley co-stars in Wonder Man, reprising his role as Trevor Slattery from Iron Man 3, and, much more recently, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The official Wonder Man trailer even references Trevor's misguided acting gig as a "terrorist" known as the Mandarin. Like Simon, Trevor also wants to star in the Wonder Man remake, and the pair become bonded through their shared love of acting.

Trevor becomes an acting coach, of sorts, for Simon, but according to Abdul-Mateen, there's "a bit more nuance to the relationship. Trevor's got some wisdom to impart. And as someone who wants to break into the industry, I'll take it."

Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery and Yahya Abdul-Mateen III as Simon Williams in Wonder Man on Disney+

Credit: Disney+ via MovieStillsDB

While the MCU is well-known for bombastic, action-heavy stories and set pieces, the franchise has taken a more character-based, creative approach with some of its Disney+ streaming series. Wonder Man, and the importance of Simon's relationship with Trevor within the show, seems set to carry on that relatively new tradition.

WandaVision, for instance, explores Wanda Maximoff's (Elizabeth Olsen) relationship with Vision (Paul Bettany) and the destructive power of grief while indulging in a history lesson about sitcoms. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was produced as a genuine, fourth-wall-breaking sitcom, a far cry from Marvel's usual formula. Wonder Man's story of a Hollywood superhero production fits in well with that kind of storytelling.

Joining Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley in Wonder Man are Demetrius Grosse as Simon's brother, Eric, Zlatko Buric as "Wonder Man's" reclusive director, Von Kovak, as well as Lauren Glazier and Byron Bowers. The show was co-created by Shang-Chi and Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton and producer and writer Andrew Guest (Hawkeye, Community).

Wonder Man premieres on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.

Wonder Man

Like Follow Followed Superhero Adventure Comedy Release Date December, 2025 Network Disney+ Writers Andrew Guest Franchise(s) MCU

Cast

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Simon Williams
Ben Kingsley Trevor Slattery
Demetrius Grosse Eric Williams
Ed Harris Neal Saroyan

Genres Superhero, Adventure, Comedy Creator(s) Destin Daniel Cretton Powered by

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Wonder Man
Marvel Cinematic Universe

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