Marvel Shifts Focus Back to the Avengers as Wonder Man Carves Its Own Path
When Marvel revealed that Avengers: Doomsday would be helmed by the Russo Brothers and feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, it felt like a nostalgic move aimed at long-time fans. The film is set to include characters from newer projects like Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but the highlight was Chris Evans returning as Steve Rogers. While it remains uncertain if more original Avengers will make a comeback, the project seems poised to act as a reset, allowing Marvel to reintroduce beloved characters and shift away from its sprawling Multiverse Saga.
This backdrop makes the timing of the new Wonder Man miniseries on Disney Plus feel a bit off. Like Echo before it, Wonder Man is part of Marvel’s Spotlight series, which the studio doesn’t consider essential for following the broader MCU narrative. At a time when Marvel is focused on epic crossovers and familiar faces, Wonder Man stands out as a self-contained character exploration of a lesser-known hero, making it one of Marvel’s most intriguing offerings yet.
Set in sunny Los Angeles after the events of Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Wonder Man follows struggling actor Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) as he seeks the role of a lifetime. Simon, a talented performer with credits on major series like American Horror Story, struggles to find steady work due to his tendency to overanalyze his performances. After being let go for offering too much feedback during a shoot, he tries to keep the news from his supportive mother, Martha (Shola Adewusi), and his critical brother, Eric (Demetrius Grosse).
Simon’s agent, Janelle (X Mayo), is furious about the firing, but Simon feels hopeful when he learns from disgraced actor Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) that a studio is rebooting Wonder Man, the fictional superhero film that ignited his passion for acting.
From the moment Wonder Man references real-world films like The Matrix and Twilight, the meta humor crafted by co-creators Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest becomes apparent. In Simon’s world, people remember Slattery’s past involvement in global terrorism, but their focus is primarily on Hollywood happenings. This narrow perspective allows Simon and his peers to believe that Slattery, fresh out of prison, is ready to reclaim his acting career.
Their shared love for the arts quickly forges an unlikely friendship, as both men believe they are perfect for the lead roles in the Wonder Man movie—a cheesy sci-fi space opera reminiscent of Flash Gordon and Star Wars. They are both thrilled to receive callbacks, but Simon is anxious about the possibility of anyone discovering his hidden superhuman abilities, which he has kept secret since puberty.
While Wonder Man doesn’t heavily connect to the larger MCU beyond Slattery, it uses Simon’s powers to delve into the lives of “enhanced” yet ordinary individuals in a world repeatedly shaken by superhumans. Instead of worrying about the Sokovia Accords, Simon fears the Doorman Clause, which prohibits superhumans from working in Hollywood due to the risks and high insurance costs associated with their powers. If anyone were to learn about his abilities, he could lose his career and face imprisonment by the United States Department of Damage Control.
Though Simon’s secret looms large, the series primarily explores his relationship with Slattery and the psychological toll of concealing one’s true identity. Abdul-Mateen brings a blend of humor and vulnerability to Simon, portraying him as a regular guy yearning for recognition of his artistic talent. Kingsley, in his third portrayal of Slattery, finally brings depth to the character, revealing a complexity beneath his absurd exterior. The chemistry between the two actors carries the series, especially when comedic subplots veer off course. By the season’s end, it feels like Simon and Slattery could evolve into one of Marvel’s more unique takes on a superhero duo.
This intriguing dynamic raises questions about the timing of Wonder Man’s release. Marvel is launching the series at a moment when the MCU appears ready for a significant reset, aiming to bring back actors and characters that contributed to its initial success. The release of Wonder Man likely reflects the studio’s shifting production schedule in response to various external factors. As Marvel bets on another Avengers event to reignite audience excitement, Wonder Man exemplifies how the studio can still deliver compelling standalone stories. The series also features a talented cast, including Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed, Béchir Sylvain, Olivia Thirlby, Byron Bowers, Joe Pantoliano, and Josh Gad, with all eight episodes set to drop on January 27th.
