Lights, Camera, Simon! Marvel’s Wonder Man Premiere Review

This article covers the series review of Marvel’s limited TV series Wonder Man.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a new eight-episode series to banish the winter blues. Enter Wonder Man, a dare I say wonderful show bolstered by equally wonderful performances, sharp humor, and clever real-world commentary that subverts your standard comic book series formula.

It’s also just a blast to watch, plain and simple, with its undeniable love for entertainment and pop culture. Consider this your escapist watch for 2026.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Wonder Man.

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Star Power and a Star Dynamic

Wonder Man really hinges on the dynamic duo at the epicenter of this story, and thankfully, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley are dynamite together. While every aspect of this series is a hit, Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley are truly the highlights. They boast an easygoing chemistry. It’s fun to watch the ebbs and flows in their friendship, from Trevor spying on Simon on behalf of the Department of Damage Control to Simon breaking Trevor out of the DODC in the finale’s last seconds.

Abdul-Mateen II will hopefully become even more of a household name from Wonder Man. I’ve enjoyed his projects over the years, but the groundedness and nuance he brings to his portrayal of Simon Williams is a thing of beauty. He’s such an on-screen natural that he makes it look effortless, so much so that one might not even think he’s acting.

Method Acting

Abdul-Mateen II deftly conveys Simon’s insecurities as he struggles to conceal his powers from the public. To that point, the season is also a fascinating meditation on the marginalized in Hollywood and how they endeavor to stifle parts of themselves to fit the societal (white and patriarchal, let’s face it) mold. All in the name of getting jobs.

There’s also something to be said about how people of color have to work extra hard to obtain work in the industry, and a prime example of this is the callback at Von Kovak’s mansion in episode six. While everyone is ready to improvise on their feet, Simon doesn’t feel comfortable doing so, nor does he like to abandon his rigorous method. He meticulously prepares for auditions, probably more so than his white counterparts, so he can stand out in the room.

In the first episode, Trevor urges Simon to get out of his own head, and that becomes a common throughline for this character. This obsession with tailoring one’s image and demeanor to appear perfect is profoundly relatable. It humanizes Simon, and Abdul-Mateen II’s portrayal makes him feel real.

Slattery Moves Beyond The Mandarin

Kingsley is no slouch, either. He’s the tether to the MCU at large (along with Agent Cleary). Trevor is a complex character, to be sure. He starts the series as a spy for the DODC to collect evidence that Simon is dangerous, all in the name of keeping himself out of prison. It’s interesting to watch his evolution here, knowing where he came from (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Iron Man 3). He struggles to throw Simon under the bus after actually befriending him, and his sacrifice to protect Simon in the season finale is touching.

When he tells Simon that it’s time to own up to his mistakes, we, as the audience, know what he’s talking about. Kingsley injects Trevor with an endearing affability while never shying away from the character’s dark parts. He and Abdul-Mateen II also trade off on being the comedic relief, and both rise to the challenge and then some. They’re a well-oiled machine in that regard.

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Gettin’ Meta With It (and Some Influences)

Wonder Man is a delight for fans of meta content as a series that artfully delves into the magic of moviemaking and the world of the entertainment industry. I kept a running list of everything in our world that’s now canon in the MCU, and inexplicably, Glenn Howerton being a thing in this universe made me laugh the most. I’m guessing someone in that writers’ room is an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fan. Although, as a Millennial, Simon chewing Joe Pantoliano out about Baby’s Day Out being subpar made me cackle.

Josh Gad (apologies, J. Gad) dropping the hottest club remix of his song from Frozen also had me in stitches, as did his unfortunate disappearance in episode 4. It’s so ludicrous in the best way. Admittedly, the “Doorman” episode is reminiscent of Atlanta’s “The Goof Who Sat by the Door.” And there are elements of Birdman in some of the season’s more frantic, breathless scenes, such as when Simon impersonates his agent as he drives to the Wonder Man audition.

Probably the most apt comparison is Apple TV’s The Studio. Wonder Man is a love letter to the working actor and the business at large, as is The Studio. The scenes on set in episodes 7 and 8 definitely give off the same vibes as The Studio, too. All these pop culture references and the movie-within-a-show aspect showcase how much the creative team loves film. It’s baked into the DNA of this series.

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Shaking Up the Formula

Marvel has taken some fun creative swings over the years, and Wonder Man is no exception. This isn’t your stereotypical super hero show, nor is it your typical origin story. Simon plays a hero in a movie while masquerading as a powerless human despite actually having powers. Every time he uses them in the show, something goes awry. He spends most of the season resisting his abilities, believing they’re detrimental to his career. However, by the end of the season, Simon saves Trevor, which the DODC won’t view as heroic, but to this viewer, it certainly is. He even flies away like a caped crusader. Simon is an unconventional hero with an unorthodox journey, to boot. He feels more relatable – and more human – than most heroes in the comic book scene.

Wonder Man also isn’t bursting at the seams with MCU references. You can watch this as a standalone series, even without having seen Trevor Slattery’s previous appearances. That makes it more universally appealing. And if one isn’t into super hero-heavy comic book shows, I’d argue that Wonder Man is more akin to Marvel’s street hero-style shows with super hero elements.

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The Marvel of It All

Agent Cleary is back, y’all. You might remember him from his debut in Spider-Man: No Way Home to his larger role in 2022’s delightful Ms. Marvel. Here, he reads more like an antagonist, once again putting the DODC under the spotlight. Side note: I’m still waiting for that Department of Damage Control series, please and thank you.

What does Wonder Man mean for the MCU writ large? Could Simon pop up in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars? My fingers are crossed, but I’ll understand if he doesn’t. Undoubtedly, the DODC will continue to play a role in the franchise, so perhaps we’ll hear of Simon and Trevor being on the lam in another Marvel series (with hopefully another Rogers: The Musical billboard or two).

Shang-Chi knows Trevor at least, so perhaps we’ll see the ole Trevster pop up somewhere in relation to him.

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That Cliffhanger Demands a Second Season

With how well-received Wonder Man has been from critics and audiences alike, I’d be shocked if the series didn’t return for a sophomore season. That cliffhanger begs for a narrative resolution. I adore Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley together – Simon and Trevor are the bromance I didn’t know I needed in 2026. Indisputably, Simon’s reckless move probably blew up his burgeoning career. I’d love to see the aftermath of that. Cleary would hunt him and Trevor down, too, and this would raise the stakes through the roof for a potential season 2.

And can you say, “Simon/Trevor Road Trip?” Hilarity ensues. Give it to me, please.

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