Wonder Man: From Joke Pitch to Disney+ Series

The Disney+ series Wonder Man originated as a lighthearted suggestion during the production of another Marvel project. Executive producer Destin Daniel Cretton revealed that the idea began as a joke pitched to producer Jonathan Schwartz while working on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Cretton admired Sir Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Trevor Slattery and jokingly proposed a present titled “Trevor Goes To Hollywood.”

What started as a humorous concept gained momentum when Schwartz created a mock poster featuring Trevor Slattery in a 1980s-style convertible, which Cretton felt had real potential. The joke evolved into a serious development effort, especially after Cretton learned that a separate project focusing on Simon Williams / Wonder Man was already in progress.

The convergence of these two ideas—one centered on Trevor Slattery and the other on Simon Williams—led to the creation of Wonder Man, with Andrew Guest joining as executive producer to help shape the series’ tone. The show ultimately follows two actors at different stages of their careers as they pursue roles in a remake of the fictional superhero film “Wonder Man” directed by the legendary Von Kovak.

Wonder Man premiered in its entirety on Disney+ on January 27, 2026, as part of Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe under the “Marvel Spotlight” banner. The eight-episode first season stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, alongside X Mayo, Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed, Joe Pantoliano, Byron Bowers and Josh Gad.

The series blends genres, incorporating elements of superhero action, comedy, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood satire. Episodes explore themes of ambition, identity, and the entertainment industry, with titles such as “Matinee,” “Self-Tape,” and “Callback” reflecting the characters’ journeys.

Produced by Marvel Television and filmed in Los Angeles, Wonder Man represents a unique entry in the MCU, combining character-driven storytelling with meta-commentary on fame and creativity in the film industry.