The MCU is on the precipice of another major shift. With superhero fatigue a common critique in modern media, the MCU's Wonder Man (2026) is set to tackle that issue head on. The series itself promises to be a fun look at the creation of a superhero movie within a world where superpowers are real.
The meta nature of Wonder Man (2026) alongside an earnest look at the entertainment industry sets Wonder Man apart from the rest of the MCU. With the premiere set for January 27, here's everything we currently know about the MCU's Wonder Man.
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Wonder Man (2026) Is a Combination of Two Separate MCU Ideas
Wonder Man was originally created for Marvel Comics in 1964 by Stan Lee, Don Heck and Jack Kirby. Simon Williams debuted in The Avengers #9 (October 1964). While Simon originally was a villain, through multiple resurrections and character changes, he became a superhero with ionic powers and an integral part of Marvel lore as Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch's love interest, Beast's close friend, and the basis for Vision in Marvel Comics.
In the 2026 Marvel Television & Animation Preview with the Official Marvel Podcast, Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios' Head of Television, Streaming and Animation describes Wonder Man (2026) as a series that "manifested itself into being." He explains that Destin Daniel Cretton and Jonathan Schwartz were brainstorming a project to focus on Sir Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery, and Steven Broussard and Brian Gay were thinking about doing a project focusing on Simon Williams, Wonder Man. Winderbaum explained that Andrew Guest later came on as a writer, making the project an "uncynical earnest view of the trials and tribulations of anyone in the arts." Guest became the showrunner for Wonder Man (2026), and this take permeates the series itself.
Yahya Abdul Mateen II Leads a Stacked Cast in Wonder Man (2026)
Wonder Man's star-studded cast is led by Yahya Abdul Mateen II as Simon Williams. Mateen is no stranger to the superhero genre, starring as Black Manta in the Aquaman films and as Doctor Manhatten in the 2019 Watchmen miniseries. His work in Candyman (2021) as Anthony McCoy also shows that Mateen excels in stories about ambition, its costs, and the weight of history and oppression.
Mateen is joined by Sir Ben Kingsley. Kinglsey's repertoire spans decades, including an Oscar win for best actor for Gandhi (1982) and many other award wins and nominations. Kingsley reprises his Iron Man 3 role as Trevor Slattery, an actor hired to play the Mandarin by A.I.M., a terrorist organization. Kingsley also appeared as Trevor in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).
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Zlatko Burić also stars as reclusive filmmaker Von Kovak who is determined to make a superhero film that will rewrite the genre. The rest of the main cast includes X Mayo, Arian Moayed, Olivia Thirlby and Byron Bowers. Other important cast members are Demetrius Grosse as Eric Williams and Ed Harris as Simon's agent, Neal Saroyan.
Wonder Man (2026)'s Plot, Explained
Wonder Man's main plot focuses on the intersection of fame and superheroes within the MCU. Marvel's official synopsis explains:
Aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams is struggling to get his career off the ground. During a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery, an actor whose biggest roles may be well behind him, Simon learns legendary director Von Kovak is remaking the superhero film “Wonder Man”. These two actors at opposite ends of their careers doggedly pursue life-changing roles in this film as audiences get a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry.
While this synopsis for Wonder Man mainly focuses on the Hollywood side of the story, the trailers for the series reveal that there is more going on within the series and its world-building regarding ordinary people with superpowers that could herald future stories to come in the MCU. The main trailers for the film explore the duality of Simon's story, from the tale of an aspiring actor hoping for his big break to the person with superpowers desperately trying to keep them hidden and under control.
Wonder Man's Official Trailer Went Meta with Superhero Fatigue
The first official trailer for Wonder Man (2026) begins with a focus on a film within a series and the emergence of legendary filmmaker Von Kovak from his retirement to remake the movie Wonder Man. Von Kovak claims "everyone is tired of superheroes. There is an opportunity to reimagine a whole genre of storytelling." This meta statement sums up the obstacles any superhero movie faces in the MCU. Many people are tired of superhero movies, and any new movie will need a new hook to draw viewers in.
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The trailer then moves on to Simon's quest to be cast as Wonder Man, showing a little of his process and desire to dig deep into his character's motivations. It shows Simon's audition, call back, and his burgeoning friendship with Trevor Slattery. Notably absent from this original trailer is any mention of Simon having superpowers, instead focusing mainly on his acting ambitions and desire to perfect his craft. Instead, this trailer focuses on Simon as an actor and a behind-the-scenes view into the making of movies in a world where superheroes are real people and household names.
Wonder Man's Latest Trailer Shows a World Struggling with Superpowers
While the earlier trailer focuses on the film within a television show, the latest trailer confirms and hints at Wonder Man's superpowers. When Simon gets nervous or upset, objects around him start vibrating; and he appears to have super-strength. A later scene, with lightning seeming to manifest around Simon's fist, harkens back to his Marvel Comics roots of ionic powers. Due to his powers, Simon is labeled an "extraordinary threat" by the Department of Damage Control. The trailer shows evidence of this, with Simon destroying a kitchen when his emotions get the better of him, but the trailer also shows that he just wants to pursue his dreams of acting.
The reveal of Simon's powers recontextualizes some scenes from the original trailer. When Simon states that he was "born to play" this role, it originally looked like he's just an actor inspired by a project. With Simon's superpowers revealed, however, his connection to the role of Wonder Man becomes more personal. He wants to play this role because the struggles of Wonder Man are struggles he has actually faced regarding his own powers.
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The Department of Damage Control helps pave the way for future MCU stories. Daredevil: Born Again already featured Wilson Fisk rallying distrust of vigilantes in New York, and Wonder Man takes it a step further with the everyday obstacles people may face in a world that has dealt with so many issues due to powerful beings. With the X-Men coming to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday, the Department of Damage Control and the measures against super-powered individuals lay the groundwork for the X-Men overcoming societal prejudice.
When Does Wonder Man Come Out?
Wonder Man was originally scheduled to premiere in 2025, but the release was pushed. Fans won't have to wait much longer to see how Simon Williams' journey as Wonder Man unfolds. All eight episodes of Wonder Man episodes will drop at the same time, meaning fans will be able to see Simon's full story without waiting weeks for its conclusion. Wonder Man premieres on Disney+ on January 27, 2026 at 6 PM pacific time.
- Release Date
- January 27, 2026
- Network
- Disney+
- Writers
- Andrew Guest
Cast
-
Yahya Abdul-Mateen IISimon Williams -
Ben KingsleyTrevor Slattery -
Demetrius GrosseEric Williams -
Ed HarrisNeal Saroyan
- Franchise(s)
- MCU
- Creator(s)
- Destin Daniel Cretton
