Marvel Studios has released the first full trailer for its upcoming Disney+ series, “Wonder Man,” and it presents a fresh, satirical look at Hollywood fame through the eyes of a struggling actor. The trailer, which debuted at the 2025 New York Comic Con, introduces Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a man desperately trying to land the role of his childhood hero, Wonder Man, in a new movie remake. The series, set to premiere on January 27, 2026, explores the messy pursuit of stardom in a world where superheroes are already real.
The Story of a Struggling Actor
The plot follows Simon Williams, an actor facing constant rejection and struggling to make it in Hollywood. His life takes a dramatic turn when legendary filmmaker Von Kovak (played by Zlatko Buriฤ) announces he is coming out of retirement to direct a remake of the classic “Wonder Man” film. Simon sees this as his one big chance and becomes determined to win the lead role. In the trailer, he tells his manager, “I was born to play this character,” despite her telling him that the production is already considering other actors.
The series is described as a “love letter to acting” and shifts away from traditional superhero storytelling. Instead of focusing on world-ending threats, it pulls back the curtain on the entertainment industry, showing the grind of auditions and the hunger for a breakthrough role. Marvel Television boss Brad Winderbaum described the show as “a story about acting and the journey of an actor in Hollywood,” highlighting the relatable struggle of balancing artistic dreams with the need to make a living.
An Unlikely Friendship with a Former “Terrorist”
A key part of the trailer focuses on the dynamic between Simon and Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery. Kingsley reprises his role as the eccentric, washed-up actor who famously impersonated the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. Trevor becomes Simon’s unlikely coach and companion in his quest for the part. Their chemistry brings a chaotic and humorous energy to the story.
In one scene, Trevor is seen auditioning for the “Wonder Man” remake while once again dressed in his full Mandarin costume, a nod to his controversial past in the MCU. A crew member is overheard saying, “Pretty sure he used to be a terrorist,” adding a layer of meta-comedy for long-time Marvel fans. This partnership between an aspiring hero and a seasoned fraud is central to the show’s comedic and heartfelt tone.
A Satirical Look at Superhero Fatigue
The series boldly tackles the real-world conversation about superhero fatigue head-on. The promotional poster for the show features a fictional Hollywood Reporter magazine with the headline, “Hollywood Experiencing Super Hero Fatigue.” In the trailer, director Von Kovak is seen in an interview defending his decision to make another superhero movie, arguing for their value as modern mythology.
This self-aware, meta approach makes Wonder Man one of Marvel’s most unique projects to date. It satirizes not just the genre but the entire Hollywood system that produces it. The story is set within the MCU but is more concerned with the human desire for relevance and identity than with cosmic battles. As Von Kovak declares to his cast, “We are going to make the last movie on Earth. No one will have the balls to make another.”
Behind the Scenes and Comic Book Roots
The series is co-created by Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Andrew Guest, a writer from Hawkeye. Cretton also directed the first episode. The show’s premise takes inspiration from the Marvel comics, where Simon Williams is the son of a rich industrialist who gains ionic superpowers from Baron Zemo and eventually becomes an Avenger.
However, the TV version swerves from the comic book origin. Instead of starting as a supervillain, this Simon Williams is an actor who seems to stumble into becoming a real superhero. The trailer shows him on a movie set, with the director yelling “action!” before Simon walks out in a costume that nods to the character’s red and green comic book attire. The eight-episode series will explore how playing a hero on screen blurs the lines with becoming one in reality.
Release Details
Marvel confirmed that Wonder Man will consist of eight episodes and will premiere on Disney+ on January 27, 2026. It is the second series, following Echo, to fall under the “Marvel Spotlight” banner, which aims to tell more grounded, character-driven stories that are accessible to both new viewers and dedicated fans. The series also stars X Mayo, Demetrius Grosse, Arian Moayed, and Olivia Thirlby in supporting roles.
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