What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of superhero films? Maybe it’s big, high-stakes action scenes– Maybe it’s a guy wearing tights and a cape. Maybe it’s the hero’s journey to save their loved one. Many things may come to mind when it comes to superheroes, but it’s common to feel that the same ideas have been repeated for too long. We call this concept ‘superhero fatigue’. It’s like when you’ve heard one story– and suddenly, it feels like you’ve heard them all. Cookie-cutter projects and repetitive stories are common in film, which can diminish the excitement of the viewing experience. ‘Wonder Man’, a new Marvel series on Disney +. Addresses superhero fatigue in a way that few would’ve expected.
This show follows ‘Simon Williams’, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Simon wants to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a big-time movie actor, and chases after each opportunity with enthusiasm. From the start of the show, he’s established as a proactive and detail-oriented character– maybe even a little too detail-oriented. It’s not long into the first episode that we see his troubles below the surface. Crumbling relationships, shattered dreams, and old grief all drive Simon to what seems like rock bottom. Right when he thought all was lost, however, a new opportunity arose. We then see Ben Kingsley reprise his role as the mysterious, goofy, and unexpectedly charming ‘Trevor Slattery’– last seen in Iron Man 3, released in 2013. Trevor and Simon form a strong friendship as they both pursue the chance of a lifetime: to star in a remake of Simon’s favorite childhood superhero film, “Wonder Man”. The series then follows Simon and Trevor’s journey toward stardom, but shows us many different adventures, perspectives, and even backstories. Simon and Trevor turn out to both be hiding secrets from one another– secrets that not only change their friendship, but that change the course of their lives.
‘Wonder Man’ is definitely not a typical Marvel story, by any means. The series challenges the typical narrative by taking a step back from the hero’s journey and examining how it can both inspire and challenge the character. Rather than focusing on high-stakes “CGI” battles, ‘Wonder Man’ holds a magnifying glass to each character’s mind. We can see Trevor Slattery as a prime example throughout the series. In Iron Man 3, he was a shallow villain– a desperate actor hired to terrorize America on national television. This series, on the other hand, continues his story in a way that acknowledges his desperation as a pivotal point in the larger story. This close examination of character is refreshing to see, especially in the age of fast-paced short-form content.
Again, this show is still fresh and new– having been released January 27, 2026. If you find it hard to sit through a super long series, give this one a try! ‘Wonder Man’ clocks in at a total of 4 hours, with each of the 8 episodes averaging 30 minutes. While it is a short watch, it will get you heavily invested in its characters without filling too much time with boring sequences. Each episode brings something new to the table. In fact, one episode is the backstory of “Doorman”– a complex character that is only loosely tied to the main story. This show is unpredictable to say the least, and brings such a unique ending that leaves you wondering, “What could happen next?” All of this considered, ‘Wonder Man’ feels like a breath of fresh air in the superhero drama genre. It may not be the most high-stakes story, and maybe it won’t have a sequel. But it shows just how much one opportunity can change everything.
