The Marvel Cinematic Universe often reimagines villains from the comics, and a new movie will continue that trend. Throughout the MCU, characters like Loki have been significantly altered, becoming more relatable after their on-screen portrayals influenced the comics. Other villains, including Klaw, The Mandarin, The Leader, and Grandmaster, have also undergone major changes – some improvements, and some that diminished their original character. While Killmonger is an example of a positive change, Malekith represents a less successful adaptation.
It’s still unclear how a major change to the character of Eric Williams will affect the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Winter 2025 issue of Disney’s D23 Magazine (reported by The Direct) reveals that the upcoming Disney+ series Wonder Man will present Eric Williams, brother of the superhero Wonder Man (Simon Williams), in a new light. In the Marvel comics, Eric, also known as the villain Grim Reaper, felt overshadowed by his parents and developed aggressive behavior. However, Disney’s D23 Magazine indicates that this won’t be part of his backstory in the MCU.
Brian Gay, a production and development director at Marvel Studios, revealed that Simon will revisit his hometown in an upcoming episode. This episode will also introduce his family, including his mother, Martha, and older brother, Eric, along with other relatives. The episode will explore Simon’s formative relationships and how they shaped his personality. Gay explained that Eric served as the family’s grounding force, while Simon pursued a career in the arts.
Wonder Man Will Clearly Change the Comic Book Characters
The initial trailers for the Disney+ series Wonder Man reveal some significant departures from the character’s comic book origins. It appears to be taking a similar approach to She-Hulk, which is a positive sign for viewers who appreciate fresh takes on Marvel stories. The trailers show Simon Williams as an actor auditioning for the part of Wonder Man, a well-known sci-fi hero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Simon is also an actor in the comics, the trailers don’t suggest he’ll have superpowers in this version of the story.
The show takes place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, meaning there are characters with superpowers. While Simon doesn’t currently seem to have any, that could change as the season progresses. Eric Williams appears normal – he’s even an insurance adjuster – which is a departure from his comic book persona as the Grim Reaper. However, appearances can be deceiving, and his seemingly stable life doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a good person. In fact, working in insurance might even contribute to a darker side, and he could be pushed to his limits if Simon unexpectedly becomes famous.
It appears the upcoming series Wonder Man will be a self-aware show that playfully addresses the idea of “superhero fatigue.” The addition of Trevor Slattery (known from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi) to the cast reinforces this, given his character often satirizes the acting world. While the show will likely offer more than just surface-level humor – similar to She-Hulk – and include superhero action, it’s still unclear if the plot will involve Eric Williams becoming the villain known as the Grim Reaper.
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2025-11-30 22:41