Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Shines In Marvel’s Wonder Man

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is no stranger to big-screen heroics, but his latest role as Simon Williams in Marvel’s new series Wonder Man marks a bold new chapter—not just for the actor, but for Marvel Television itself. Premiering January 27, 2026, on Disney+, the eight-episode series is Marvel’s first release of the year, and it’s already making waves for its unconventional approach and heartfelt storytelling. The show, created by Andrew Guest and Destin Daniel Cretton, follows the journey of Simon Williams, a struggling actor in Los Angeles who dreams of making it big. But this isn’t your typical superhero tale—far from it.

According to Marvel.com, Abdul-Mateen II was drawn to the project not just because of the character, but because of Cretton’s vision. “I’m a fan of Destin’s work: Just Mercy, Short Term 12. I like his filmmaking. It’s earnest. It has a lot of heart,” Abdul-Mateen II explained. “He wanted to do something that was different. He was describing this character that was kind of awkward. He was passionate about acting. Simon was easily relatable. His super power, to him, was not the most exciting thing about him. He has a real passion, and that was something I can get behind.”

In Wonder Man, Simon Williams isn’t just fighting villains—he’s fighting for his place in Hollywood. The series cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality, offering a meta look at the world of acting. Simon, desperate for his big break, learns that acclaimed director Von Kovak (played by Zlatko Burić) is remaking his favorite childhood film, the 1980s cult classic Wonder Man. Determined to land the role of a lifetime, Simon embarks on a journey filled with auditions, self-doubt, and the quirky chaos of show business.

Along the way, Simon strikes up an unlikely friendship with Trevor Slattery, portrayed by Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will remember Slattery from his memorable appearances in Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. In this series, Trevor serves as a mentor of sorts—though not always in the ways Simon expects. “There’s this push and pull of who’s the leader. Trevor has the expertise. Simon has the passion,” Abdul-Mateen II told Marvel.com. “Simon is looking for a friend, and he’s also trying to teach Trevor: ‘Look, you have to take things more seriously. You can’t always approach things with a laissez-faire attitude.’ Trevor is saying, ‘Sometimes you just need to calm down and be in the moment and let things happen.’”

The dynamic between Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley isn’t just compelling on screen—it mirrored their real-life interactions on set. Abdul-Mateen II recounted a particularly memorable day filming a scene where Simon, flustered before an audition, receives advice from Trevor. “I found myself having a [similar] moment in episode 6 or 7, way later in the season. I was having a moment, and I just looked over to him and said, ‘I’m sort of feeling some of the things that Simon feels.’ My mind was busy. We talked about that and how sometimes you have to just breathe and let it go,” he shared. “That was a moment where I found myself in the role of Simon and I had Sir Ben in the role of Trevor, saying, ‘Just be cool and let it happen.’ The funny thing is that the lines blurred sometimes like that, where we would fall into our characters in a mentor-mentee type of way.”

It’s not just the actors’ chemistry that sets Wonder Man apart. The show is, at its core, a love letter to odd-couple friendships, chasing dreams, and the city of Los Angeles. It’s a heartfelt exploration of what it means to be a working actor—the highs, the lows, and the endless hustle. “There’s this montage where Simon is trying to make a tape on his own, and he talks about seeing the same actor coming up on Deadline all the time. I remember what it was like 10 years ago when I was in school, and nobody knew who I was at all. I felt like I had so much to give, but nobody knew that I was even there. I was saying, ‘I just want a shot. I just want a chance.’ Simon’s the same way. Simon sort of represents the actor who is unknown, who is talented and passionate and just needs a break. I definitely resonate with that,” Abdul-Mateen II reflected.

The series also features a standout supporting cast. X Mayo plays Janelle, Simon’s no-nonsense agent who isn’t afraid to call him out for his overthinking. Mayo, recognized for her work in Loot and The Daily Show, brings both humor and heart to the role. Zlatko Burić, fresh off his villainous turn in James Gunn’s Superman, steps in as Von Kovak, the enigmatic director helming the in-universe Wonder Man reboot. Arian Moayed reprises his Marvel role as Agent Cleary from the Department of Damage Control, a character familiar to fans from Spider-Man: No Way Home and Ms. Marvel.

For Abdul-Mateen II, the experience of playing an actor playing an actor was both surreal and enlightening. The show’s meta layers occasionally led to confusion on set—sometimes, he found himself acting to a fake camera instead of the real one. “There was one day later on where I kept acting to the fake camera. We were shooting a scene, and they kept coming back wondering why I was facing this direction. I was like, ‘This is my shot!’ and they’re like, ‘No, that’s a fake camera. That camera’s not on. That over there is your camera.’ [Laughs] I guess when you’re shooting a TV show about shooting a movie, a lot of confusing things can happen. And it certainly did happen to me—but I think it makes for good TV.”

The show doesn’t just poke fun at the industry—it pays tribute to the craft of acting itself. Abdul-Mateen II has already heard from fellow actors who appreciate the show’s honest depiction of the audition process and the sheer amount of work that goes into every role. “You’re going through and making choices and marking your script up with lines. It really is a job. It’s not just playtime. It’s a craft. There are so many hours of work that go into this, so much labor. And that’s all before you even get the job. I’m glad the show sheds light on that—but we also do it in a humorous and heartfelt way, so it doesn’t alienate you if you’re not an actor.”

For Simon Williams, the original Wonder Man film is a touchstone—a childhood inspiration that fuels his ambition. Abdul-Mateen II, too, has his own cinematic favorites from growing up. “Oh yeah. It’s probably Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. We’re a big Dick Van Dyke household. Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we used to just sit and watch those movies over and over in my household. We even make sure that all the new babies see those movies too because we’ve got to be able to talk about it!” he said, laughing.

As Wonder Man begins streaming on Disney+, it’s clear that Marvel has taken a creative risk, delivering a series that’s as much about chasing dreams as it is about superpowers. With its blend of humor, heart, and a dash of Hollywood satire, the show promises to resonate with longtime Marvel fans and newcomers alike. And for Abdul-Mateen II, it’s a role that feels both timely and deeply personal—a chance to step into the shoes of a hero who, above all, just wants a shot.

Sometimes, the biggest battles aren’t against villains or monsters, but against self-doubt and the odds. Wonder Man reminds us all that the journey is just as important as the destination—and that, in Hollywood and in life, everyone’s just hoping for their moment in the spotlight.