The first official clip from Marvel’s upcoming series Wonder Man is now available. It shows the first meeting between aspiring actor Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and the returning MCU figure Trevor Slattery, played by Sir Ben Kingsley. The eight-episode series will be released all at once on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.
The First Look at a New Partnership
The newly released clip introduces the show’s central dynamic. Viewers see Simon Williams, a struggling actor in Hollywood, approach the more experienced, if eccentric, Trevor Slattery at a coffee shop. Simon presses Trevor for information about a secretive new film project, which is later revealed to be an in-universe remake of a “Wonder Man” movie.
The interaction establishes their characters: Simon is ambitious and trying to get his foot in the door, while Trevor, who has a complicated history with fame from his past as the fake Mandarin, enjoys holding onto a bit of Hollywood intrigue. This chance meeting sets the two on a shared path as they both doggedly pursue roles in the same high-stakes film.
First clip from Marvel’s ‘WONDER MAN’ series
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 19, 2025
Releasing January 27 on Disney+ pic.twitter.com/veJr3Vx19T
A Different Kind of Marvel Story
Wonder Man is positioned as a distinct entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Described by the creative team as a “love letter to Hollywood” and a show about “filmmaking and ambition,” it steps away from traditional world-saving plots. Instead, it focuses on the behind-the-scenes struggles of actors in a world where superheroes are real.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has explained that the series is “self-aware, without looking directly into the camera” and will include commentary on topics like superhero fatigue, though he notes that the primary focus remains on the actor’s journey and friendship. The show is part of the Marvel Spotlight banner, which highlights character-driven stories that require less prior knowledge of the wider MCU.
Meet the Leading Cast and Crew
The series brings together an award-winning cast. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II leads as Simon Williams, an actor who gains superpowers but is more interested in landing a meaningful role than in being a hero. Sir Ben Kingsley reprises his role as Trevor Slattery, completing what producers call a “trilogy” for the character that began with Iron Man 3 and continued in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
The supporting cast includes Demetrius Grosse as Simon’s brother, Eric Williams, also known as the Grim Reaper; Arian Moayed as a Department of Damage Control agent; and Ed Harris as Simon’s agent, Neal Saroyan. The show is created and executive produced by Destin Daniel Cretton (director of Shang-Chi) and Andrew Guest, who also serves as the showrunner.
Global Release Schedule and Format
Wonder Man will debut globally on Disney+ on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. In a departure from Marvel’s usual weekly release model, all eight episodes of the series will be available to stream at once. This “binge-drop” strategy marks the first time an MCU series with eight episodes has been released in this format on the platform.
The decision has sparked conversation among fans. Some see it as a confident move, allowing the story to be discovered in one sitting, while others have wondered if it signals a shift in Marvel’s promotional strategy, especially with other series like Daredevil: Born Again also on the horizon. Each episode is expected to run between 20 to 40 minutes.
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What the Clip Tells Us About the Show
The tone of the released clip suggests a series that blends humor with the authentic grind of Hollywood life. The dialogue feels grounded in the real frustrations and small triumphs of actors. This aligns with Ben Kingsley’s description of the production as being “constantly fed” by the environment of Los Angeles, a city “emblematic of people’s dreams”.
The series is filmed on location in Los Angeles and will feature a metafictional narrative, exploring what it’s like to be an actor within a world that contains iconic superheroes. As Simon Williams pursues the role of Wonder Man, he must navigate his own emerging powers, which include superhuman strength and speed, all while trying to achieve his artistic dreams.
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