Wonder Man Saves a Dying MCU With The Franchise’s Besting Acting in Years

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The following review contains minor spoilers for Wonder Man now streaming on Disney +.

Marvel’s first TV series came out in 2013 and wasn’t a huge hit, but the studio has since created many projects with varying degrees of success. Their newest offering, Wonder Man, has the potential to be one of their best yet. With fantastic performances, a compelling score, an original story, and incredibly detailed sets, Wonder Man is a must-see for any Marvel enthusiast.

As a huge Marvel fan, I’ve been following Wonder Man, and it’s really showing that simply sticking to the comics isn’t enough anymore. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II absolutely nails the role of Simon Williams, bringing a real intensity to the character. But what really works is his dynamic with Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery – Kingsley is fantastic, as always, and their relationship is honestly the heart of the show. It’s great to see Marvel giving even supporting characters, like Trevor, such a well-developed and compelling story.

Wonder Man is a Decidedly Unique MCU Television Series

The Series Is More Acting than Action— and That’s For the Best

Image via Marvel Studios

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is built on stories about Super Heroes, and traditionally, the actors’ performances took a backseat to the big action sequences. But the new show, Wonder Man, is a refreshing change for Marvel fans. While most Marvel shows focus on action, Wonder Man is surprisingly about the world of acting itself.

The show centers around Simon Williams and his pursuit of an acting career. It realistically portrays the challenges and triumphs of this journey, with Williams as a truly engaging main character. Unlike some shows, it’s a grounded story – he’s not trying to save the world or fix time, just achieve his dream.

Unlike other Marvel TV series, Wonder Man really prioritizes its characters. It successfully centers on Trevor Slattery, a lesser-known figure in the MCU, and his unlikely friendship with Simon Williams, making their connection the most engaging part of the current Marvel stories. While the show isn’t packed with action, it still has some well-done scenes that showcase Simon’s powers.

While not flawless, this series is a standout offering from the MCU, providing fans with something truly engaging after a long wait. It unfolds gradually, which is a key part of its appeal. Wonder Man helps make the MCU feel more real and connected. The show brilliantly captures the spirit of Marvel’s grounded, yet unique, take on familiar tropes. Though some viewers might miss large-scale action sequences, the focus on a more intimate and relatable story is precisely what the MCU needed.

The Stakes Are Low, But Much More Personal

Simon’s Mission is Different Than Saving New York, or the World

Image via Marvel Studios

Simon Williams is unique, and while the story doesn’t explain exactly how, he possesses amazing powers. He dreams of becoming an actor, but a rule in the Marvel Cinematic Universe prevents anyone with powers from performing. Simon is very shy and has successfully hidden his abilities, though the Department of Damage Control is now actively pursuing him.

Since its introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Department of Damage Control has changed a lot. Originally, they just cleaned up the messes left after big superhero fights. But now, the MCU is giving them a bigger role: they keep an eye on people with superpowers who are causing trouble and even run experiments on them. Concerned about the potential danger of Simon Williams’ abilities, the DODC enlists an unexpected helper to uncover the truth about him.

Trevor Slattery is a fascinating character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s the actor who played a fake version of the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. The series Wonder Man shows that there’s more to Slattery’s story than people realized, and it makes viewers feel sympathy for someone who was previously seen as a joke. The Department of Damage Control forces Slattery to guard Paul Williams, or face finishing his prison sentence for his role in the “Mandarin” incident. Slattery accepts, and that’s when the real story starts.

Wonder Man Has Some of the Most Brilliant Performances in MCU History

Every Actor Is Clearly Giving it Their All

Image via Marvel Studios

The heart of the show is the unlikely friendship between Trevor and Simon. Trevor first encounters Simon intending to use him for information and then leave, but his own difficult history leads him to connect with Simon. He struggles to follow through with his original mission for the DODC, finding it harder and harder to betray Simon. Both characters are complex and their fates are intertwined, creating a compelling dynamic.

Trevor’s growing feelings for Simon bring him joy, but also create conflict in his life. Meanwhile, as Simon achieves success, the risk of his secret being revealed increases. Compelling performances throughout the show make this already captivating story even better.

The acting in this is exceptional across the board, even from those playing versions of themselves. Trevor initially tries to get close to Williams to gather information, but they surprisingly become friends. Ben Kingsley is fantastic as Trevor Slattery, and this is arguably his best work yet. His performance, fueled by a mix of admiration and guilt, is one of the strongest in any Marvel series. However, it’s just slightly eclipsed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s truly memorable performance as the main character.

Shows about acting often risk feeling fake, especially when they reveal how things are done behind the scenes – it can ruin the illusion. But Abdul-Mateen II avoids this completely. He portrays Simon’s desperation and drive with raw emotion, making his performance not just believable, but deeply real. While the show might not fully explain Simon’s abilities, it makes him a relatable and compelling character, even more so than some of the more established heroes in the MCU.

Wonder Man is a Fantastic Change of Pace For Marvel

The Studio Has Recently Seemingly Lacked Direction, Until Now

Wonder-Man stands out because it’s doing something the MCU really needs right now. It prioritizes developing its characters – specifically, Simon Williams’ personal battles – making his journey feel genuine and not just a setup for a larger team adventure. If Marvel can keep telling stories like this, concerns that they’re running out of creative ideas will likely prove to be incorrect.

Ultimately, Wonder Man demonstrates that Marvel Studios can still deliver compelling content. The show is both enjoyable and seamlessly integrates into the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe without awkwardly prioritizing its own characters. While Wonder Man has the potential to become significant in future MCU storylines, this series proves that isn’t necessary for success. Marvel has shown it can create a captivating story about an everyday struggle – a struggling actor – that’s even more engaging than a typical world-threatening event.

As a huge MCU fan, I can confidently say Wonder Man is totally worth checking out, even if you’re not super familiar with everything that’s happened before. The story feels like it could go in so many directions, and it’s great to see something that isn’t just about saving the world. It definitely feels like it’ll have a ripple effect on the bigger MCU, but it also suggests we could get more smaller, character-focused stories, which I’m really hoping for. Hopefully, the show’s success will prove to the people making these shows that we, as fans, are just as excited about well-developed characters and their journeys as we are about massive action sequences. We’ll just have to wait and see if they get the message!

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2026-01-29 20:35