Wonder Man: from joke to success on Disney+

Wonder Man, the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), began its journey as a “joke pitch” before growing into a popular series on Disney+. Film director, writer, and executive producer Destin Daniel Cretton was the driving force behind the project. He recently spoke about the early days of the series during a panel at Deadline Contenders TV.

The origin of an idea

Cretton, who also directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, revealed that the Wonder Man series started with his love for the character Trevor Slattery. The role, played with flair by actor Ben Kingsley, made its debut in Iron Man 3 and later appeared in Shang-Chi. On the surface, Trevor Slattery seemed to be mostly a source of comic relief in the MCU, and Cretton felt the character had far more potential.

During filming on Shang-Chi, Cretton made a “joke pitch” to producer Jonathan Schwartz. He suggested a story focused on “Trevor Goes to Hollywood.” In a playful move, Schwartz even created a poster for the idea, which inspired Cretton to keep developing the project.

Development and production

The development of Wonder Man went hand in hand with Marvel’s growing interest in bringing the character to life. Cretton said the joke pitch evolved into something more serious, eventually leading to the series’ Disney+ debut in January this year. Cretton said: “We had to flesh out this idea, and that’s exactly what happened. The combination of the joke pitch and the desire to tell a story in Hollywood formed the basis for Wonder Man.”

Wonder Man differs from traditional MCU formats by focusing less on superpowers and more on the lives of Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Trevor Slattery as they try to make it as actors in the competitive film industry.

Success on Disney+

Wonder Man not only shows the growth potential of smaller stories within the MCU, but also marked its success by getting a green light for season 2. That makes it one of the few MCU series to be approved for a second season. The series was generally well received, with a rating of 8/10 for the strong performances by Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley.

The creation of Wonder Man also marks an experimental step for Marvel. Executive producer Andrew Guest noted that the project was genuinely a risk for Marvel, one that was later reassessed during the recent industry strike.

The series’ reception suggests that its underlying themes of friendship, ambition, and the struggle for recognition in Hollywood resonate with audiences. That makes Wonder Man both an interesting addition to the MCU and a reflection of the film industry itself.

As fans wait for season 2, interest in the series’ direction and additional MCU projects remains high. The approval of a sequel shows that Marvel believes in the potential of the colorful and humorous elements Wonder Man brings.

At the time the Marvel series launched, a new dynamic emerged in the superhero universe. Actors who previously played supporting roles are getting more room to shine, which fits Marvel’s strategic vision of exploring different stories and perspectives within its Cinematic Universe.

This evolution promises that the adventures of Wonder Man and Trevor Slattery will offer not only entertainment, but also deeper insight into the world of the entertainment industry. It raises the question of who the real superheroes are in film and television — often, it’s the stories and the people behind them that make the biggest impact.

With the road ahead still open for Wonder Man, fans have every reason to wait eagerly for how many more surprises and explorations these unique concepts still have to offer.