Wonder Man showrunner reveals producers battled to keep the Marvel series alive despite potential tax write-off.

The new streaming series Wonder Man has garnered positive reviews from critics, but it faced the risk of being scrapped as a “tax write-off” during its early production stages. Director Destin Daniel Cretton shared insights into the show’s unexpected journey to success, especially amid the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that temporarily halted the US film industry.

“We were halfway through ours,” Cretton mentioned at a live event, discussing the timing of the strikes. “It could have been a tax write-off for Disney, but I know for a fact that the people producing this show, like Brian and our amazing team, were fighting hard to ensure we could finish this unique, melancholic project. It was a significant risk for them.”

Wonder Man stands out as a remarkable series, largely due to the dynamic between Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul Mateen II) and Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley). Its appeal lies in its focus on character-driven drama rather than typical superhero action.

“Honestly, if you’re tuning in expecting a conventional superhero show, you might be disappointed,” Cretton previously stated. “However, if you stick with it, you’ll likely find yourself drawn to these characters. This show, while not your standard superhero fare, utilizes the genre in a way that’s far more engaging and intriguing than just watching battles.”

Wonder Man is available for streaming on Disney Plus.