Wonder Man (2026) is a delight!
Photo courtesy of Rian Hughes/Wikimedia Commons
Spoiler free review!
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, better known as the MCU, is well-known for action-packed scenes and the high-stakes battles that the superhero protagonists must fight. However, what makes the MCU so interesting is how their world is pretty much identical to ours, just with a couple alien invasions. It is filled with everyday people who are just trying to live their normal lives, even though magic powers and super villains occasionally get in the way.
This is what the latest Marvel series, Wonder Man (2026), centers upon. The eight-episode limited series follows Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is an aspiring actor and a hilariously relatable character as a chronic over-thinker who struggles to get close to people. Simon is clearly desperate to get recognized, but ruins every chance he gets for himself by over-analyzing every part and trying to change the scene to convey the rich backstory he gave his character with two lines. Oh, and he also has superpowers. Yes, as it would turn out, a lot of Simon’s need to over-plan his roles comes from the self-induced fear that he cannot draw from his own experience for fear of someone finding out about his powers.
This series also marks the return of Trevor Slattery, played by Ben Kingsley. Most Marvel fans will probably remember him from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and, a bit more infamously, Iron Man 3 (2013), where it was revealed that the terrifying Mandarin was just the persona of a failed actor choosing to be the puppet of some other mastermind. Who would have ever thought one of the MCU’s most controversial moments would turn out to be a blessing in disguise? Trevor is a delight to watch on screen, funny on his own and laugh-out-loud hilarious in interactions with Simon. The older actor serves as Simon’s guide and mentor throughout the series, resulting in an unexpectedly beautiful friendship. The two make the perfect foils to each other's characters, as Simon is very high-strung and anxious while Trevor has a ridiculously go-with-the-flow attitude, even in high-stakes situations that may or may not involve a ransom. The two create just as much comedy as they do character growth with every interaction.
Despite having powers he does not want, this series breaks the Marvel formula by not being any sort of "origin story” for Simon. There is no great evil he must face or any call to become a reluctant hero. The whole series is about how Simon feels as though his powers have been getting in the way of his goals, and learning to accept them not for a greater calling, but so he can be a better actor. Even the name of the series Wonder Man (2026) is not in reference to a superhero alter ego—it is simply the name of a movie he wants, and eventually gets to star in.
That is not to say the series is without higher stakes. It is quickly revealed that despite his attempts to hide them, Simon’s powers have been noted by the Department of Damage Control, which fans should recognize from Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Ms. Marvel (2022). The only reason Trevor even met Simon was because he made a deal with the Department of Damage Control to gain information on the potential super human, or else he would get sent back to prison. If Damage Control can prove Simon’s abilities, then he will be sent to a high-security prison meant to house people with powers. Although Trevor and Simon do end up forming a genuine connection, the potential of a betrayal is underlying every episode, even if the conflicts actually presented have more to do with getting an audition tape filmed on time. It was a perfect balancing act of making sure audiences used to high-stakes superhero adventures can stay engaged while still allowing the less world-shattering, personal conflicts to drive the story.
The series also had absolutely no problem embracing the meta and occasionally wacky opportunities of a superpowered actor making a movie about being a superhero, or just the general implications of someone with superpowers being in such a position. Simon and Trevor had the chance to interact with big name actors who were simply playing themselves on screen, such as Joe Pantoliano and Ashley Greene. The in-universe reason Simon needs to hide his powers in order to be an actor is explained to be because of a superpowered actor accidentally causing the disappearance of Josh Gad! The same brand of humor was employed for the advertising of the series, which included a video titled “Actors Unscripted” posted to Marvel’s official YouTube channel a month before the series was released. It was a completely in-character interview of Simon Williams and Trever Slattery, including clear parodies of famous interview formats such as Hot Ones or Variety’s “Playing with Puppies” interviews.
Simple, hilarious, and heartwarming, Wonder Man (2026) is an amazing time from start to finish. Audiences seem to agree, as the series currently sits at a 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes! Marvel dared to defy their usual format, and ended up striking gold. Everyone should take a chance on this series. You will not regret it!