Marvel’s new Disney+ series Wonder Man will offer a humorous look at Hollywood’s superhero machine. The show is built around a unique twist: its main character is an actor with real superpowers, but his dream is only to play a superhero on screen, not to be one. A new promotional clip centers on the funny dynamic between its two leads, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley, as they discuss the project. The show will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.
The Meta Premise Of The New Marvel Series
Wonder Man takes place within the established timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but its story is more about movies than saving the world. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon Williams, an actor struggling to land the lead role in a big-budget remake of a classic superhero film, also called Wonder Man. The twist is that Simon is secretly hiding genuine superpowers. However, he believes revealing these abilities would ruin his chance to be cast, as the film’s director wants a regular actor, not a real superhero.
This creates a central conflict where Simon must navigate the absurd Hollywood system while keeping his powers a secret. The show’s co-creator and director, Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, uses this setup to poke fun at the entertainment industry and the superhero genre itself. The series is described as a “love letter” to Los Angeles and the dreamers who work there.
How The Promo Reveals The Show’s Tone
The latest promotional material focuses squarely on the characters and their offbeat relationship. In a short clip, Ben Kingsley and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II introduce themselves in character, blurring the lines between the actors and their roles. The exchange is casual and humorous, immediately setting a different tone from typical, high-stakes Marvel previews.
Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, the eccentric actor best known for his controversial impersonation of the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. In the new series, he is trying to mentor Simon Williams. When asked if Trevor is a sidekick, Kingsley’s character firmly corrects the assumption, stating, “Sidekick? I would not classify myself as a sidekick. I’m a mentor”. This suggests the show will focus on their complicated partnership, filled with guidance and creative clashes.
For Abdul-Mateen, the role has personal significance. He has shared that watching superhero films with his father as a child was a formative experience, making this project a “full-circle moment” for him.
The Unique Marketing For A Unique Show
Marvel Studios has matched the show’s meta concept with an equally creative marketing campaign. A central part of this is “The Slattery Method,” a fictional acting masterclass run by Trevor Slattery. Fans can interact with it by texting “ACT” to a dedicated phone number. They then receive humorous voice notes and acting tips from Slattery himself, like his lesson on how to cry on command.
“Real tears can’t be faked. To cry for a scene, you must go to the darkest place you can imagine. I simply think of something tragic, and the waterworks begin. In fact, tears are not water; they’re liquid applause. Every drop says, ‘Look at me, I’m feeling.’”
This playful campaign extends to fake interviews and podcast appearances. In one spoof video, Slattery sits down with real TCM host Ben Mankiewicz for an interview that falls apart when his past role as the fake Mandarin is brought up. Another video mimics popular ‘Actors on Actors’ style conversations, featuring both Slattery and Williams.
Key Cast And Creative Team
The series boasts a strong ensemble cast led by its two stars. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II takes on the dual role of Simon Williams and, eventually, his superhero persona. Ben Kingsley reprises his popular MCU role, bringing his unique comedic style back to the franchise.
They are joined by several other notable actors:
- Ed Harris and Demetrius Grosse in undisclosed roles.
- Arian Moayed, who will return as Agent P. Cleary of the Department of Damage Control.
- Zlatko Buriฤ as Von Kovak, the eccentric director of the in-universe Wonder Man film remake.
The series is co-created and showrun by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest. Cretton also directs, bringing his experience from Shang-Chi to the project. The first season will consist of eight episodes, all shot on location in Los Angeles.
Also Read:
- Survivor 49 Runner-Up Sophi Balerdi Reflects on Her Gameplay and Journey in Exit Interview
- Speed and Love Episodes 19-20: Release Info, Episode Recap, and New Episode Preview
- Wonder Man First Official Clip Out: Simon Williams Meets Trevor Slattery
- Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed Casts Laura Marcus, Its Youngest Series Regular Yet
- Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Showrunner Confirms Major Season 1 Twist Will Be Resolved After Hiatus
- It: Welcome to Derry Season 2 Plot: 1935 Story, Time Twist, and Bob Gray Details
Global Release Schedule For Disney+
Wonder Man will debut globally on Disney+ on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The first episode is scheduled to go live at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (PT). For viewers in different time zones, this translates to:
- 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
- 2:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on January 28
- 7:30 AM India Standard Time (IST) on January 28
The series is positioned as Marvel’s first major streaming release of 2026. All episodes are expected to be released weekly on the platform.
Also Read: Girl Taken: A New Paramount+ Thriller About Life After Escape
