Toward the end of last year, Disney gave us a sneak peek at some upcoming projects we’ve been waiting for. One that sparked major curiosity? Wonder Man. He’s not the most famous character, but his backstory is something else, and done right, this series could be a real treat. So, what do we know about this Disney+ series?
First, let’s get acquainted. Wonder Man, a.k.a. Simon Williams, has been around since 1963, making his debut in Avengers #9. While a cameo in Avengers: Doomsday might be cool, the cast is already packed. Taking on the role is the incredibly talented Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who we know and love as Black Manta in Aquaman and young Morpheus in The Matrix Resurrections.
The story? Williams inherits a weapons factory after his father passes, putting him head-to-head with Stark Industries. After a brief stint in the clink for embezzlement, he cuts a deal with Baron Zemo (villain from Captain America: Civil War) and Amora the Enchantress. He agrees to get superpowers and go after Tony Stark. Word on the street is that the series will follow Williams as a struggling actor auditioning for a superhero role. And get this: Ben Kingsley is back as Trevor Slattery, remember the actor who played the Mandarin in Iron Man 3? This could be epic or hilariously cheesy – we’ll have to wait and see.
The Stark connection is what grabs us right away. It’s hard to believe Marvel would bring in a character like this without playing into his roots. This makes us think two things could happen: Robert Downey Jr. might make a few cameo appearances (fingers crossed!), or Marvel is looking to cast a new, younger Stark. Which, if Downey is really done with Iron Man, makes sense.
If the MCU wants to get back to its former glory, they need an Iron Man, plain and simple. We know, no one can replace Downey, but all good things have to evolve (just look at how we embraced Anthony Mackie as Cap after Chris Evans). For Wonder Man to truly shine, Stark needs to be present, not just mentioned.
Creator Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is currently in post-production, with a release date slated for January 2026.
Wonder Man was among the projects affected by the writer’s strike, causing some delays. So it’s refreshing to know it’s still happening. While details are still under wraps, Demetrius Grosse, one of the show’s stars, shared some hints. In an interview with ComicBook.com, he said, “I think people are going to be intrigued by the dynamic between Simon Williams and Eric Williams as much as they’re excited about the dynamic between Grim Reaper and Wonder Man. This series is gonna be a very, very different kind of show, but pleasantly so.”
Overall, with Marvel Studios taking a step back to refine their projects, we’ve been getting some quality content lately. With the time between the initial announcement and now, the script should be on point, giving us something worthwhile. Abdul-Mateen is a phenomenal actor who can light up the screen, as long as the material is solid – unlike Secret Invasion.
Wonder Man is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in January 2026, with eight 30-minute episodes as part of phase six of the MCU.
