When you think of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you think of larger-than life characters, superpowers, action scenes, and lots of CGI. Well, if you’re tired of all that, then Wonder Man is exactly what you need. The newest Marvel Cinematic Universe show debuts a new character, and it’s the most unusual take of them all.
Despite being part of the pantheon of Disney Plus MCU shows, Wonder Man needs no homework, which is a constant complaint regarding the nearly 2-decade old franchise. This is a grounded show about struggling actor Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) desperately looking to bag the role of his dreams. Much to his surprise (and ours), he finds an encouraging partner in fellow thespian Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley). Yes, that Trevor, from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
What happens in Wonder Man?
Set in Los Angeles, Wonder Man takes the audience up close and personal with the life of a desperate actor. Simon Williams has always wanted to act, and he’s very invested in his art. This guy doesn’t just step on to set and read lines; no, he needs to get to the heart of the character, understand the backstory. Really get in there. That’s not always a good thing.
Just when things begin to look utterly bleak, a ray of hope arrives. Simon’s favorite film from his childhood is being remade, and former Mandarin/current struggling actor, Trevor Slattery, is here to help him get a shot at the lead role. Simon and Trevor’s united goal brings them closer together.
They’re an oddball pair – Simon is anxious and tightly wound. Trevor is carefree, taking the hits and misses on the chin. What could possibly go wrong?
Wonder Man is a celebration of human creativity
At the heart of Wonder Man is a story about human creativity and human connection. In an age where tech bros are insistent on replacing the creative arts with AI slop, Marvel gives us a story about just how much thought, effort, and creativity goes into every bit of human-made art. We watch as Simon and Trevor revel in their craft, try different ways to deliver lines, and attempt to capture the souls of their characters.
Yes, creative types can be weird and pedantic – we see a few of them in Wonder Man – but creativity is an escape and a reflection of the life we live in. Hence, us spending time watching, reading, and writing about shows like Wonder Man.
While many viewers may be far removed from the entertainment industry, and acting especially, they will still find similarities in Simon’s journey to crafting a professional career, finding community through that work, and the struggle and triumphs of chasing a dream despite the many obstacles in one’s way.
Wonder Man’s exploration of loneliness
However, what keeps the viewer engaged is that the emotional core of Wonder Man is the story of friendship. In the multi-crisis that we live in right now, there’s a loneliness epidemic that so many people are facing. There’s a lot of talk, especially, about men’s loneliness. Here in Wonder Man, we have two men facing a similar crisis.
Simon is closed off because he’s hiding a secret that could be devastating if found out. Trevor’s past(s) ensure he’s shunned by everyone around him. But then, these two bump into each other.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Sir Ben Kingsley have so much chemistry and work well with each other. Yahya perfectly captures Simon’s anxiety and guardedness. Sir Ben, on the other hand, is effervescent and funny. Their dynamic is unusual, but the writing and performances make sure we’re always rooting for this pair.
The realism of Wonder Man
Don’t head into Wonder Man expecting some mind-boggling plot. This is a few days-in-the-life of Simon and Trevor. Superpowers and Marvel plot points, optional. But that’s what makes this unexpected entry in the MCU so delightful. You’re watching a much taller, hotter reflection of yourself in Simon wishing for his dream job, wanting some stable income, not letting his family down, and getting in his own way.
Simon’s yearning for connection is probably palpable to many of us. If we were in his shoes, we’d take Trevor as our fairy godbestie too.
One shouldn’t be surprised that that characters are so relatable. Wonder Man is co-created by Destin Daniel Cretton, whose perfectly captured the millennial experience. Co-creator Andrew Guest worked on Hawkeye, which was an equally grounded take on the titular superhero.
If there’s a criticism to be levied, it’s that the pacing could have been tighter in each episode. These are short, almost sit-com length episodes, some less than 30 minutes long. Every minute needs to count.
But the pacing can’t detract from how Wonder Man will leave you aghast with its realistic portrayals of being a human trying to get by. It’s so unlike anything Marvel’s done before, which is a nice reminder of how the franchise keeps innovating. But the question is, what happens next?