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In addition to being a die-hard fan of filmmaking, television, video gaming, and anything else with a gripping narrative, Aidan Kelley is also a passionate and detail-oriented writer and journalist at Collider.com. In addition to his work as a Senior Resource Writer, Aidan has also contributed to Collider's features and news reporting sections. He has covered major industry events, such as San Diego Comic-Con and the D23 Expo, and has had the privelege of interviewing industry stars like Bruce Campbell, Maggie Q, Chad Stahelski, and more. This sincere love for the art of storytelling began at a young age, with Aidan making video movie reviews for the news program at his local high school. That love only increased over the years, with an ongoing career in independent filmmaking and screenwriting after graduating with a degree in Film and television from DePaul University.
You've probably heard the term "superhero fatigue" so much at this point that you're probably as sick of hearing the term as you are of actual superhero fatigue. It's also not hard to figure out where the common source of this alleged affliction comes from, and that's really only because no other company has the yearly output that Marvel Studios does. Coming off of a fairly underwhelming year at the box office, with Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and even The Fantastic Four: First Steps all underperforming to various extents, Marvel is clearly being more selective with its projects, especially when it comes to TV.
While things got off to a strong start in the MCU's Disney+ era with WandaVision and Loki, other shows (especially the live-action ones) have been a bit of a mixed bag. A great portion of these, such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Moon Knight, felt less like TV shows and more like small-potatoes movie ideas that Marvel just didn't have the confidence to give a theatrical release. Thankfully, Brad Winderbaum is leading a new, much more promising era of Marvel television, which includes Daredevil: Born Again, X-Men '97, and now the MCU's best show since Loki, the absolutely wonderful Wonder Man.
What Is 'Wonder Man' About?
Wonder Man is the story of Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) — a young actor looking for his big break in Hollywood to no avail. That all changes when he meets and forms a friendship with former drug-addicted terrorist patsy-turned-recovering Shakespearian performer Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), who tells Simon that legendary filmmaker Von Kovac (Zlatko Buric) is remaking Simon's all-time favorite superhero movie, Wonder Man. It's the role Simon was born to play, but there's just one problem: Simon has superpowers, and in a world where superpowered individuals are strictly forbidden from acting in movies, the Department of Damage Control will do everything in its power to make sure he is subdued.
No spoilers, of course, but that plot synopsis really isn't trying to pull a wool over anyone's eyes. This truly is a show that is simply about an actor trying to get his big break in Hollywood. That's it! There's no secret supernatural threat lurking in the shadows, no abrupt ties to Avengers: Doomsday. Wonder Man is, by far, the most grounded, low-stakes series the MCU has ever produced, and it is all the better for it. Instead of being the ten millionth superhero show to follow the formula of "origin story, bad guy reveal, huge superhero fight at the end," this is a deep, personal, character-driven adventure that honestly has more in common with The Studio or Atlanta than any previous MCU project, especially with its refreshing level of authenticity in its showcase of how the film and television industry works.
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Co-Creators Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: Brand New Day) and Andrew Guest (Hawkeye) deserve a great deal of credit for pushing back on MCU norms to make Wonder Man a true slice-of-life comedy as opposed to a bombastic sci-fi epic. Wonder Man has one, yes, one fight scene in its easy-to-binge 8 episodes (all of which were provided for review), and not only is that fight brought to life by Cretton's expert eye for action, but the lack of big stunts never even registers because of how compelling these characters and their stories are, especially with top-notch editing and directing in all the installments. The show overall finds an excellent balance between earnest satirical humor and genuinely tragic circumstances. If anything, the plot's one fault is perhaps a bit too much of a reliance on one character withholding the truth from another, but the rest of the series' elements more than make up for it and will undoubtedly leave viewers begging for a Season 2.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley Are a Dynamic Duo in 'Wonder Man'
This isn't Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's first rodeo with superhero stories, having previously starred in both of DC's Aquaman movies and HBO's Watchmen. However, not only does his take on Simon Williams feel wholly unique from those roles, but it also breaks new ground for the MCU. Simon, for all intents and purposes, is a hugely fallible human being, rather than the squeaky-clean, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) savior type. He's also someone who doesn't define himself by his superpowers and feels like he should be judged on the merit of his other skills, further adding to the show's real-world relevance. Abdul-Mateen's performance is so compelling that he is all but assured to become a Marvel fan favorite.
Wonder Man also boasts a strong supporting cast, including some surprising yet narratively relevant cameos, but none are even comparable to Ben Kingsley's frankly Emmy-worthy turn as Trevor Slattery. Not only is Kingsley's chemistry and camaraderie with Abdul-Mateen off the charts, forging them into one of the best duos in the entire MCU, but his is a character who was almost universally hated after Iron Man 3 and slowly worked his way back into viewers' good graces in Shang-Chi. In both films, Trevor is treated as the comic fool, but in Wonder Man, he proves himself as a nuanced character who is trying to escape his damaged past, resulting in one of the most surprisingly effective redemption arcs in the entirety of the franchise. Combined with Abdul-Mateen's performance, it's hard to remember the last time two MCU characters were this engaging to watch.
With the MCU set to go full speed ahead on superhero hijinks this year between Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday, a grounded, emotional, and reserved show like Wonder Man is exactly what the shared universe needs right now. It is a remarkable and satisfying take on a world with a near-countless number of movies and shows already, one that's almost identical to our own. In between the laughs and satire, Wonder Man also tackles many real-world issues both in and out of the entertainment industry. It's also bursting with surprises, including an episode that follows a totally separate character that we wouldn't dare spoil for you here. Whether you're a hardcore MCU fan or have never watched a superhero movie in your life, Wonder Man is one of those rare experiences that appeals to both sides, and it marks a truly phenomenal start for Marvel's ambitious 2026 slate.
Wonder Man debuts in its entirety beginning January 27 on Disney+.
Release Date January 27, 2026
Network Disney+
Writers Andrew Guest
Pros & Cons
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley give Emmy-worthy performances.
- The show has a level of authenticity and low stakes that the MCU rarely delves into..
- Strong editing and direction give the show a unique look and feel.
- It's a refreshing subversion of common superhero tropes.
English (US) ·