Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a struggling actor with secret powers, hoping to book his dream role on ‘Wonder Man’. A chance encounter with washed-up thespian Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) could change his fortunes for the better.
Streaming on: Disney+
Episodes Viewed: 8 of 8
Created by Shang-Chi and Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest (the latter of whom serves as showrunner for the season), Wonder Man is the second show to be released under the more character-driven Marvel Spotlight banner. That’s notable given just how different this latest MCU entry feels: there are no traditional heroes and villains here, and the superpowered action sequences are limited. Instead, we’re treated to a show which is less a superhero moviemaking satire — à la The Franchise — and more a meditation on acting as a profession, told through an unlikely but beautiful bromance between Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley). It’s a winning approach.
The (in-universe) film adaptation of ‘Wonder Man’ is the basis for much of the show’s winning humour. Through this framing device, we get an inside look at casting and auditioning processes and see how an actor’s own ego can sometimes run wild. Much of this is bolstered by an excellent supporting cast: X Mayo consistently amuses as Simon’s agent Janelle, who is often irritated with her client but always loyal, and there are hilarious appearances by Joe Pantoliano and Josh Gad, who each play versions of themselves. Gad shows up in the standout fourth episode: rendered in black-and-white but set in modern times, its focus on Byron Bowers’ DeMarr Davis — a doorman who gains powers along with fame — is a comedic highlight.
More than just the laughs, it’s the sincerity of Simon and Trevor’s respective journeys — both individually and as a duo — that sticks with you.
But more than just the laughs, it’s the sincerity of Simon and Trevor’s respective journeys — both individually and as a duo — that sticks with you. And the genuine friendship that blossoms between them is delightful, with scenes where the pair are simply bonding over their favourite lines and acting experiences being some of the purest and sweetest in the entire MCU. In fact, the one time that Simon does flex his powers in a fight (in Episode 5, the shortest and most inessential of the bunch), it actually feels a little out of place.
Unsurprisingly, the actors playing the actors are themselves excellent. In his other superhero gig as villainous Black Manta in Aquaman, Abdul-Mateen II is mostly angry and violent; here, he’s especially good at playing the sweet, sad and sensitive notes that help make the tightly wound Simon so easy to root for. As for Kingsley’s Trevor, where at times he felt like the odd one out in the worlds of Iron Man and Shang-Chi, here his unique, slightly off-kilter energy is perfectly utilised. He’s more than just comedic relief this time round: he’s a fully realised and relatable character.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley’s superb double act makes this one of the best shows in the MCU to date.
