Marvel's Latest Offering, 'Wonder Man,' Aims to Skewer Hollywood, But Does It Hit the Mark?
The Premise: Imagine a world where aspiring actors are desperate for their big break, and a seasoned, perhaps past-his-prime, actor is looking for a career resurgence. This is the world of Simon Williams, a young actor struggling to make his mark in the glitzy, cutthroat landscape of Hollywood. His path unexpectedly crosses with Trevor Slattery, a familiar face from past Marvel adventures whose own star may have faded. Together, they find themselves chasing life-changing roles in a remake of the classic superhero film, "Wonder Man." This series promises a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, offering a glimpse into the dreams and dramas that unfold when the cameras aren't rolling.
The Review: Marvel's decision to expand its "Spotlight" series, designed to be more accessible to viewers who haven't consumed every single MCU installment, is a clever move. It acknowledges that not everyone can keep up with the intricate web of interconnected stories. However, the latest addition, "Wonder Man," stumbles in its execution. Despite the undeniable charisma of its lead, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and the welcome return of the beloved Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, the show ultimately falls flat. It attempts to satirize the very industry that created it and the superhero genre it belongs to, but it ends up being a dull and largely pointless endeavor within the broader MCU narrative.
Diving Deeper into the Story: Set in the post-Blip era, a time when the world is attempting to return to a semblance of normalcy after global threats, we find Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) in Los Angeles. Simon, an actor who lives and breathes his craft, often to the chagrin of his colleagues, is once again passed over for a role. Serendipitously, he overhears Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) discussing a casting call for a remake of the iconic 1980s superhero movie, "Wonder Man." This cult classic is being reimagined by the enigmatic director Von Kovac (Zlatko Buric). Teaming up with Trevor, Simon embarks on an audition process fraught with personal anxiety and the challenge of concealing his burgeoning superpowers, which carry a significant risk of causing widespread destruction. Over the course of its eight episodes, the series chronicles Simon and Trevor's journey through the labyrinthine world of show business, from script readings and costume fittings to navigating the prying eyes of entertainment journalists, all while trying to evade the watchful gaze of Damage Control agent P. Cleary (Arian Moayed).
But Here's Where It Gets Controversial... While marketed as a "Spotlight" series, "Wonder Man" surprisingly leans heavily on prior MCU knowledge for viewers to truly appreciate it. Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Trevor Slattery, a character whose arc began in "Iron Man 3" and continued in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," is central to the plot. Slattery's transformation from a bumbling actor to a stand-in for the Mandarin is a key reason for his interaction with Simon. Kingsley imbues Trevor with a less overtly foolish, yet still amusing, persona this time around. His experience and developing friendship with Simon offer a more nuanced and purposeful dimension to his character. The potential for a compelling narrative exploring Slattery's mentorship of Simon should have been a strong focus. However, the eight half-hour episodes often feel like a superficial tour of the movie-making process, ultimately failing to coalesce into a meaningful story, with the latter half feeling particularly rushed and disjointed.
And This is the Part Most People Miss... Despite Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's considerable acting talent, Simon Williams often feels underdeveloped. While he's present in nearly every scene, his character's powers never seem to transcend their function as a plot device to keep the series tethered to the MCU. Similarly, Damage Control, an organization tasked with cleaning up superhero-related messes, is beginning to feel more like a menacing entity than a helpful one within the franchise.
On paper, "Wonder Man" had all the ingredients for success. Reimagining one of Marvel's more powerful characters within a meta-commentary on the superhero genre itself could have been a stroke of genius. Yet, in the wake of other Hollywood satires like HBO's "The Franchise" and Apple TV+'s "The Studio," "Wonder Man" feels like a shallow imitation, offering little in the way of fresh insight into the machinations of the film industry.
There's a standout episode that delves into the reasons why super-powered individuals aren't typically welcomed in Hollywood, featuring a cameo from Doorman (Byron Bowers). However, even this intriguing narrative thread ultimately feels underutilized. The series also includes cameos from actors like Josh Gad and Joe Pantoliano, appearing as themselves, which, while enjoyable, highlight how much potential is squandered as the show meanders without a clear sense of direction or purpose. The superhero elements are largely absent for the majority of the series, with only a few brief moments, most of which were already showcased in the trailers.
Created by Destin Daniel Cretton, the director behind "Shang-Chi," and showrunner Andrew Guest (known for "Hawkeye" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"), "Wonder Man" follows the trend of releasing all episodes simultaneously, much like "Echo" did. Guest is credited on five episodes, alongside a team of writers including Paul Welsh, Madeline Walter, Zeke Nicholson, Anayat Fakhraie, Roja Gashtili, Julia Lerman, and Kira Talise. Cretton directed the initial two episodes, with James Ponsoldt, Tiffany Johnson, and Stella Meghie each directing two. Joel P. West, who previously collaborated with Cretton on "Shang-Chi," returns to compose the score.
The sheer lack of scale in "Wonder Man," compared to all previous Marvel Studios productions, left me questioning its fundamental purpose. While comedy is a significant element, the short season and brief episode lengths make it difficult to connect with the characters or invest in their journeys.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room. While some may have previously labeled me a staunch defender of Marvel Studios, I've generally found redeeming qualities in most of their projects, even in shows like "She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law." Conceptually, "Wonder Man" was always going to be a tough sell for the average Marvel fan, given the character's relative obscurity. By deliberately distancing itself from the typical Marvel Studios production style and focusing on a secondary character and less prominent lore, the series ultimately squanders a promising concept. It results in a dull viewing experience that fails to be an effective satire or even a competent comedy. After finishing the season, I was left wondering what the point of investing a full season was. "Wonder Man" wastes the talents of the brilliant Ben Kingsley and the incredibly gifted Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in a sluggish, uninspired series. It's arguably the weakest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date.
What do you think? Is "Wonder Man" a bold, if flawed, attempt at meta-commentary, or a misstep that dilutes the MCU's impact? Did the satire land for you, or did it fall flat? Share your thoughts in the comments below – I'm genuinely curious to hear if you agree or disagree with this review!
