The first trailer for Marvel Television’s upcoming Disney+ series, Wonder Man, just dropped, and trust us, this isn’t your average superhero show. Instead of focusing on saving the world, it looks like the MCU is taking a hilariously meta swing at the one thing everyone has been talking about: superhero fatigue. This series is clearly setting itself up as a Hollywood satire wrapped in a Marvel cape.
The Visionary Director and the Last Movie on Earth
The trailer immediately introduces us to the driving force behind the chaos: Von Kovak, a celebrated and reclusive filmmaker. Kovak, played by Zlatko Burić, has come out of retirement to direct an in-universe remake of the classic Wonder Man film.
His comments are pure gold. Kovak tells reporters, “everyone is tired of superheroes. There is an opportunity to re-imagine a whole genre of storytelling.” Talk about a wink to the audience! He’s not stopping there; he’s on a mission to “explore the place between fiction and non-fiction” and plans to make “the last movie on earth,” so good that “No one will have the balls to make another” after it. It’s a beautifully arrogant, self-aware approach that promises a sharp critique of the blockbuster machine.
Simon Williams: The Struggling Star
At the center of this mayhem is Simon Williams, the actor vying for the title role, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Simon is an ambitious actor who is convinced he was born to play the part. He’s seen intensely preparing for his audition, juggling conflicting advice to either “just be normal” or “go method.”
The trailer makes it clear that Simon’s biggest challenge isn’t a supervillain, but the soul-crushing grind of Tinseltown. He’s trying to balance being a true artist with simply making money, a struggle Marvel Television Head Brad Winderbaum has described as a “love letter to acting.” The show is all about the journey of an actor in a world where real superheroes exist and Hollywood is still trying to figure out how to film them.
A Hilarious MCU Reunion
Adding to the meta-fun is the return of a fan-favorite MCU character: Trevor Slattery, played by the magnificent Ben Kingsley. The washed-up actor who pretended to be the Mandarin is back and, naturally, he’s Simon Williams’ competition for the Wonder Man role.
The Perfect Pair: Trevor and Simon
The trailer introduces a fascinating dynamic. Remember Trevor Slattery, the actor who pretended to be the Mandarin? He’s back! In one funny moment, an industry person jokes that Trevor “used to be a terrorist.”
This is a clear nod to his infamous appearances in Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi. Therefore, Trevor’s return is huge for the show’s comedy.
Furthermore, the trailer hints at a strong bond between the new lead, Simon Williams, and Trevor. Both are actors who simply love the craft. Consequently, the series looks like a delightful “two-hander,” focusing on these two performers trying to make it in a world full of actual superheroes.
A New Kind of Marvel Show
Wonder Man premieres on Disney+ on January 27, 2026. However, don’t expect a typical superhero fight-fest. Instead, the series feels more like a satirical sitcom set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a bold new move. Specifically, the show uses the main character’s comic book history as an actor to poke fun at the superhero genre itself. Essentially, Marvel is laughing at its own universe, and that’s what makes this trailer a must-watch.