Marvel Studios has released the official trailer for Wonder Man, but this time it’s leaning more into the superhero side of things. Watch the trailer above and read what the series ultimately reveals.
Simon Williams in the spotlight – all about power
After months of teasers that play with Hollywood satire and movie-within-a-show settings, the full trailer confirms what’s lurking in the background: that Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) has true superpowers. The footage shows Simon struggling to keep his true nature a secret while pursuing an acting gig tied to his rebooted superhero character, but that balance is soon disrupted when his repressed abilities begin to surface in destructive bursts.
That awakening will not go unnoticed. Victim Control also intervenes, with Investigator P. Cleary (Arian Moayed) flatly declaring Simon an “extraordinary threat”. The exact reason he is considered dangerous is intentionally left vague, beyond the obvious fact that he can’t seem to contain his powers. Still, the trailer makes clear that his abilities are neither minor nor easily controllable, positioning Wonder Man as something more important than the series’ playful tone initially suggested. We’ll keep the broader ramifications for the MCU to ourselves for now.
Tonally, Wonder Man walks a tightrope between satire and sincerity. That emotional underpinning extends to Simon’s dynamic with Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), with Slattery bringing his chaotic charm back to the MCU. Their relationship seems to be at the heart of the series, hinting at a mentorship-turned-friendship that underpins the show in a self-conscious commentary on superhero fatigue and reboot culture.
wonder man from marvel comics
In the Marvel Comics canon, Simon Williams was created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in 1964’s Avengers #9. Originally introduced as a supervillain powered by experimental ionic energy, Simon initially clashed with the Avengers, but was eventually reborn as a hero and joined the team he once fought.
Through decades of storytelling, Wonder Man’s story has never been a simple one. This character has died many times, been resurrected many times, and evolved into a core Avenger. He became particularly well known for his close friendship with Hank McCoy, aka The Beast, and their dynamic became a fan favorite during their time together on the team. Wonder Man later played a key role as a founding member of the West Coast Avengers and remained a recurring presence across multiple eras of the Avengers.
His powers have also changed over time depending on the run and story, but the essential ones are usually centered around his ionic energy physiology, giving him superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and heightened senses. Various stories have also pushed his abilities into more fantastical realms, including various forms of energy manipulation and projection, and moments where his very physical form is depicted as unstable or deformed by its ionic energy.
Cast, creative, release date
Wonder Man is created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest, who also serve as executive producers, with Cretton directing some episodes and Guest serving as showrunner. The series will be Cretton’s latest MCU project, following Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings.
The ensemble cast includes Lauren Glazier, Demetrius Gross as Simon’s brother Eric Williams, Ed Harris, Josh Gad, Byron Bowers, and Ariane Moeed.
All eight episodes of Wonder Man will premiere on Disney+ on January 27th.
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