WONDER MAN: Episodes 1.1-1.3

WONDER MAN is a fascinating superhero drama streaming on Disney+. The series is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and follows an American actor, Simon Williams, as he struggles in Hollywood. He meets British actor Trevor Slattery, who tells him about auditions for the remake of an old superhero movie named Wonder Man, which Simon watched as a child. While hiding a secret, Simon jumps at this career-defining opportunity, but Trevor has a secret of his own. 

 In the first half-hour episode, “Matinee,” struggling actor Simon Williams meets Trevor Slattery and learns that Hollywood is holding open auditions for the remake of his favorite superhero movie. In the second episode, “Self-Tape,” Trevor helps Simon record a self-tape for an audition that Simon’s agent, Janelle, booked for him. In the third episode, “Pacoima,” Trevor asks Simon if he can go with him to Simon’s mom’s birthday party and gets an inside look at the Williams family dynamic. It turns out that both Simon and Trevor are withholding secrets from one another 

 This first three episodes of the debut season of WONDER MAN have a different flavor than MCU fans and discerning viewers will appreciate. Even though it takes place after SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, Destin Daniel Cretton returns to direct, and Sir Ben Kingsley reprises his comedic character Trevor Slattery from IRON MAN 3. As a result, WONDER MAN makes the conscious and surprising choice to turn this into a relatable story about a man pursuing his passion. Actors and anyone who struggles to find work will relate to this series with a meta-edge. 

 The two directors for the first three episodes do an incredible job. The episodes also feature snappy writing and excellent acting. As Simon Williams, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II sells his performance and plays a much more likable character compared to his villainous character Black Manta in the AQUAMAN movies. Ben Kingsley feels right at home in the MCU after his appearances in IRON MAN 3, ALL HAIL THE KING, and SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Also, X Mayo delivers a sassy presentation as Simon’s talent agent, Janelle Jackson. Arian Moayed doesn’t skip a beat as the sarcastic Department of Damage Control agent, P. Cleary, after his memorable work in SPIDER-MAN:  NO WAY HOME and MS. MARVEL. Finally, Joe Pantoliano from THE MATRIX franchise has a fun cameo as a fictional version of himself. 

 This series goes by at a quick pace for better or for worse. On the one hand, it does a great job keeping viewers engaged. On the other hand, a little more character development, including backstory, can help WONDER MAN shine brighter than it already does. However, MCU fans can breathe a sigh of relief that Marvel has another unique and refreshing hit on their hands with likable and endearing characters and a mysterious enough plot to keep them interested. 

 WONDER MAN has a strong moral worldview where a character helps another person achieve success. The first three episodes also extol friendship, love, family, and sobriety. However, there’s a reference to fate working in someone’s life. Mercifully, no one blasphemes the name of Jesus Christ. However, there are more than 20 obscenities in the first three episodes, references to drug and prostitution debts, strong action violence, and some stealing and deceit. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for WONDER MAN.