Wonder Man’s creators enjoyed creative freedom in shaping Simon Williams and clarified his status as a potential hidden mutant in the MCU, stating, “There wasn’t a specific Wonder Man storyline they aimed to follow.”

Simon Williams is stepping into the spotlight as Marvel’s newest hero, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II portraying the lesser-known Avenger in the upcoming Wonder Man streaming series. Although Wonder Man first appeared in 1964’s Avengers #9, the creative team, including Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Young, had the freedom to craft their own interpretation of Simon for the show.

“When it came to Simon Williams, they gave me kind of free rein. There wasn’t necessarily a run of Wonder Man that they wanted to look at. They wanted to make a show about the entertainment industry,” Young shares. “So, it was really about exploring Simon’s connection to Hollywood and how his superpowers fit into that.”

In the comics, Simon Williams is a superhero who becomes an actor, possessing the unique ability to return from the dead. While he enjoys a successful stint with the Avengers, his true passion lies in acting, a theme that the Wonder Man series embraces, focusing more on the character’s personal journey than typical superhero antics.

“It struck me while reading profiles of amazing actors that if you gave one of them superpowers, they might not care about flying or fighting,” Young explains. “They’re focused on their craft. Simon Williams is an artist, just like Trevor Slattery. We ended up creating a show about two artists for Marvel, and it was a blast to work on.”

While Simon’s powers play a crucial role in his quest to revive his childhood hero, the series steers clear of conventional MCU storytelling. Cretton emphasizes that the heart of the show lies in the dynamic between Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery, which is essential to its appeal.

“Honestly, if you’re tuning in expecting a typical superhero show, you might be disappointed,” Cretton admits. “But if you stick with it, you might find yourself unexpectedly drawn to these characters. This show, while not a standard superhero narrative, uses the genre in a way that’s far more engaging than just watching battles.”

Cretton also highlights how Simon’s powers reveal deeper emotional struggles, making him relatable. “Seeing how his abilities connect to his inner pain and triggers is incredibly compelling, and that’s what excites me about directing this series.”

One intriguing aspect of Wonder Man is the ambiguity surrounding the origin of Simon’s powers, which trace back to his childhood. This raises questions about whether Simon could be part of the MCU’s expanding mutant roster. However, both Cretton and Young remain coy on the subject, playfully responding with “I don’t know” when asked directly. “It’s a good question though,” Young adds with a grin.

All eight episodes of Wonder Man are set to premiere on January 27 on Disney+.