EXCLUSIVE: Coming off some of the best reviews of his career for his work on the Broadway revival of Suzan Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play Topdog/Underdog , Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is set to move from DC to Marvel as the lead . for the Disney+ studio series Wonder Man.
Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, Wonder Man was first introduced to Marvel Comics in 1964 via The Avengers #9. The character known as Simon Williams is the son of industrialist Sanford Williams and takes control of his munitions outfit after his death, seeing his successes limited when he comes into competition with Tony Stark’s Stark Industries. The younger Williams gains ion-based superpowers, including super strength, while working under the villainous Baron Zemo and establishing himself as a rival to the Avengers, though he later decides to join the same superhero team.
The live-action Wonder Man series was first announced to begin development in June, with Shang-Chi helmer Destin Daniel Cretton and Hawkeye co-producer Andrew Guest announced to be on board. Cretton will direct and executive produce, with Guest serving as head writer. As previously announced, the show will see the return of Oscar winner Ben Kingsley, Trevor Slattery — the super-villain turned good aka The Mandarin who has previously appeared in both Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi.
Abdul-Mateen is best known in the superhero world for his work on HBO’s Watchmen, having won his first Emmy in 2020 for his run as Cal Abar/Dr. Manhattan in the show based on the DC comics by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore. The actor was first linked to DC with 2018’s Aquaman and will reprise his role as David Kane, aka Black Manta, in the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is set for release on December 25, 2023.
Abdul-Mateen is repped by WME, M88 and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
