Marvel’s upcoming Wonder Man series will debut on Disney+ this December, featuring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the lead role as Simon Williams. The new superhero show got fresh footage in Disney’s recent 2025 trailer, giving fans their first extended look at the highly anticipated series. The project marks Abdul-Mateen II’s move from DC to Marvel after his roles in the Aquaman movies and HBO’s Watchmen series.
The series will follow Simon Williams, a stuntman and actor who gains superpowers and auditions to play a hero in a TV series. This fresh take on the classic Marvel character promises to blend superhero action with Hollywood satire. Wonder Man was created by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby, first appearing in The Avengers comic issue 9 in October 1964. Originally a villain who fought the Avengers, the character later became a hero and joined the team he once opposed.
Marvel’s Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation Brad Winderbaum has praised the upcoming show in recent interviews. Wonder Man is just one of several upcoming Marvel Disney+ series that fans are hoping will revitalize the MCU’s streaming presence. “It’s a very new flavor for Marvel. It’s straight from the minds of Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest. Honestly, it is one of my favorite things ever. I think it’s the best show no one’s ever seen, and I’m very excited to see the audience reaction to it,” Winderbaum said. He also described it as “a love letter to what we do as filmmakers” and “a love letter to acting as a profession.”
The cast and creative team bring Hollywood experience to Marvel universe
The series features an impressive cast alongside Abdul-Mateen II. Sir Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, the character he played in Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The supporting cast includes Lauren Glazier from Mindhunter, Demetrius Grosse from Fear the Walking Dead, Ed Harris from Westworld, Josh Gad from Wolf Like Me, and Byron Bowers from Lady in the Lake.
New look at Marvel’s ‘WONDER MAN’ series.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 8, 2025
Releasing in December on Disney+ pic.twitter.com/AvkLDYMU5a
Destin Daniel Cretton serves as executive producer and director for the series. Cretton previously directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings for Marvel Studios. Andrew Guest takes on the role of showrunner, bringing his experience from various television projects to guide the series. The creative team aims to deliver what Winderbaum calls “a very sincere, beautiful show” that explores the entertainment industry through a superhero lens.
The character of Wonder Man has a rich history in Marvel Comics, particularly as a founding member of the West Coast Avengers in 1984. Fans especially loved his friendship with fellow Avenger Beast, also known as Dr. Henry “Hank” McCoy. Their dynamic partnership, whether fighting crime or enjoying nightlife together, became a fan-favorite element of the comics.
Many readers hope to see this beloved friendship translated into a live-action series. The show will consist of eight episodes and represents Marvel’s continued expansion into streaming content with unique storytelling approaches that differ from their traditional movie format. Marvel’s Disney+ series have become increasingly important to the MCU’s future as the franchise expands beyond theatrical releases.
