Wonder Man: Everything We Know About the New MCU Series

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering a new phase. Recognizing that audiences are starting to feel overwhelmed by superhero content, the upcoming series Wonder Man (scheduled for 2026) aims to address this directly. The show will be a lighthearted look behind the scenes of a superhero movie being made in a world full of actual superpowers.

As a critic, I’m really intrigued by what I’ve seen of Wonder Man (2026). It’s not just another superhero story; it seems to be cleverly playing with the idea of being about making movies, while also genuinely exploring the world of entertainment. That meta approach, combined with a sincere look behind the scenes, is what I think will really set it apart within the MCU. With the release date slated for January 27th, here’s a rundown of everything we know so far.

Wonder Man (2026) Is a Combination of Two Separate MCU Ideas

Image via Marvel Comics

As a long-time Marvel fan, I remember first encountering Wonder Man back in the sixties. He was created by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby and first showed up in The Avengers #9 in 1964. What’s really interesting about Simon Williams is his journey. He started as a bad guy, but through some pretty wild comic book resurrections and changes, he became a full-fledged hero with these amazing ionic powers. He’s become such a key figure in the Marvel Universe – he’s famously connected to Scarlet Witch as her love interest, he’s super close to Beast, and, believe it or not, he even served as the foundation for the Vision character in the comics! It’s a surprisingly complex history for a character a lot of people might not know well.

During a recent Marvel preview, Brad Winderbaum, head of Marvel Studios’ television, streaming, and animation, described the upcoming series Wonder Man (2026) as a project that came together organically. It started with Destin Daniel Cretton and Jonathan Schwartz exploring a story centered on Sir Ben Kingsley’s character, Trevor Slattery. Simultaneously, Steven Broussard and Brian Gay were developing an idea focused on Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man. Later, Andrew Guest joined as a writer and shaped the project into a sincere and honest look at the challenges faced by people working in creative fields. Guest ultimately became the showrunner for Wonder Man (2026), and his vision is reflected throughout the series.

Yahya Abdul Mateen II Leads a Stacked Cast in Wonder Man (2026)

Image via Marvel Studios

Yahya Abdul Mateen II, known for his roles as Black Manta in the Aquaman movies and Doctor Manhattan in the 2019 Watchmen series, will play Simon Williams in the upcoming Wonder Man series. He also demonstrated his talent for complex characters in the 2021 film Candyman, where he played Anthony McCoy, showcasing his ability to portray themes of ambition, its consequences, and the impact of historical burdens.

I’m really excited to see Sir Ben Kingsley involved! He’s a legend, of course – I mean, his performance in Gandhi back in 1982 won him an Oscar, and he’s been consistently brilliant ever since. What’s particularly cool is he’s bringing back his Iron Man 3 character, Trevor Slattery. It’s fun to see that character again – he was the actor hired to be the Mandarin by that crazy group, A.I.M. And he even showed up in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings too, so it’s great to see they’re continuing his story!

Zlatko Burić plays Von Kovak, a secluded movie director obsessed with creating a groundbreaking superhero film. The film also stars X Mayo, Arian Moayed, Olivia Thirlby, and Byron Bowers. Demetrius Grosse plays Eric Williams, and Ed Harris appears as Neal Saroyan, Simon’s agent.

Wonder Man (2026)’s Plot, Explained

Image via Marvel Studios

The central story of Wonder Man explores what happens when the worlds of celebrity and superheroes collide within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here’s what Marvel says the movie is about:

Simon Williams, a hopeful actor in Hollywood, is having trouble launching his career. He unexpectedly meets Trevor Slattery, a once-famous actor whose prime may be over. They both discover that the iconic director Von Kovak is rebooting the superhero movie “Wonder Man.” Driven to land these pivotal roles, Simon and Trevor chase their dreams while offering audiences a look at how the entertainment world really works.

The plot of Wonder Man seems centered around the Hollywood world, but trailers suggest a larger story involving everyday people with superpowers, potentially setting up future storylines within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The trailers highlight the contrast in Simon’s life – he’s both an actor chasing his dream and someone struggling to conceal and manage extraordinary abilities.

Wonder Man’s Official Trailer Went Meta with Superhero Fatigue

I just watched the first trailer for Wonder Man (2026), and it’s fascinating! The movie centers around a film being made within the movie, and it’s all about this famous director, Von Kovak, coming out of retirement to remake the original Wonder Man. He basically says everyone’s superhero-ed out, and there’s a chance to really shake up how these stories are told. Honestly, that pretty much sums up the challenge any Marvel movie faces right now. Let’s be real, a lot of us are getting tired of the same old superhero formula, so this new movie is going to need something special to grab our attention.

The trailer then highlights Simon’s journey to land the role of Wonder Man, giving us a glimpse into his acting process and how seriously he takes understanding his character. We see his audition, a callback, and the beginnings of a friendship with Trevor Slattery. Interestingly, the trailer doesn’t mention any superpowers for Simon, choosing instead to focus on his dedication to acting and the challenges of filmmaking in a world filled with famous superheroes. It presents Simon as an actor and offers a behind-the-scenes look at movie-making in that world.

Wonder Man’s Latest Trailer Shows a World Struggling with Superpowers

The first trailer for the show focused on the series itself, but the newest trailer reveals more about Wonder Man’s abilities. We see that when Simon Williams gets stressed or anxious, things around him begin to shake, and he clearly possesses super strength. A shot of lightning forming around his fist suggests his powers are similar to those he has in Marvel comics. Because of these abilities, the government’s Department of Damage Control considers him a serious threat. The trailer shows him accidentally causing destruction, like demolishing a kitchen when he’s overwhelmed, but also highlights his desire to be an actor.

Knowing Simon has superpowers changes how we see parts of the first trailer. His earlier line, “I was born to play this role,” seemed like an enthusiastic actor getting into character. But now that we know he has powers, it’s clear his connection to the role of Wonder Man is much deeper. He doesn’t just want to play the part – he connects with Wonder Man’s challenges because he’s experienced similar struggles with his own abilities.

The Department of Damage Control is setting the stage for future Marvel Cinematic Universe stories. We’ve already seen this with Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again, where he stirred up fear of vigilantes. The series Wonder Man expands on this by showing the normal challenges people face in a world impacted by superpowered beings. As the X-Men join the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday, the work of the Department of Damage Control—and the broader efforts to manage those with powers—will help explain how the X-Men deal with prejudice and acceptance.

When Does Wonder Man Come Out?

Image via Marvel Studios

Originally planned for a 2025 release, Wonder Man has been delayed, but the wait isn’t long. All eight episodes will be available to stream at once on Disney+, letting viewers watch the complete story of Simon Williams without weekly delays. Wonder Man will premiere on Disney+ on January 27, 2026, at 6 PM Pacific Time.

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2026-01-24 03:39