The new Marvel series Wonder Man is getting a lot of buzz, launching Marvel’s 2026 lineup with a strong start. It currently has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and many are calling it the best Marvel series yet. The show centers on Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an actor who finally catches a break when he’s cast in a remake of the classic 1970s sci-fi film, Wonder Man. During filming, Simon forms an unlikely friendship with Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), the actor who previously portrayed the villain The Mandarin in Iron Man 3.
Wonder Man, a new series from Marvel Television’s Spotlight initiative, offers a more personal and realistic story compared to many other Marvel projects, without heavily influencing the overall MCU storyline. However, given Wonder Man’s history as an Avenger in the comics and connections to films like Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi, viewers are curious if the show will introduce storylines for future Marvel movies and series. Here’s a breakdown of the ending and what it might mean for characters like Simon Williams, Trevor Slattery, and the future of Wonder Man within the MCU.
‘Wonder Man’s Finale and Ending, Explained
Disney+
After Simon Williams lost control of his abilities upon learning that Trevor Slattery was secretly working for Damage Control, he wasn’t arrested. Instead, Slattery offered to take the blame. He pretended to be the Mandarin again, staging a fake public appearance to make the accidental damage look like a deliberate terrorist attack – a tactic similar to one previously used by A.I.M. to hide the aftermath of an explosion. Trevor Slattery was arrested, and while Agent Cleary suspected he was covering for Simon Williams, she lacked the evidence to prove it.
They called me in to the set, and surprisingly, Von Kovak was still pushing ahead with Wonder Man. Finally, I got my costume – and a fantastic bonus! They gave me the original sunglasses from the 1970s Wonder Man film, the one I grew up loving. Suddenly, we’re seeing a scene from the finished movie. Apparently, after Trevor Slattery got arrested, they replaced him with Joe Pantoliano – you know, the guy from The Matrix? He’d actually had a little part as himself in the movie, playing an old friend of Trevor’s. Cut to the premiere at Westwood Village Theater, and there I was, with my mom, brother, agent, and everyone else, watching Wonder Man on the big screen.
The movie Wonder Man is a success, earning praise from Simon’s brother, Eric, and prompting director Von Kovak to discuss a sequel with Simon. His agent, Janelle Jackson, tells Simon he’s now in a position to choose any role he wants. We then see Simon meeting a mysterious man at a bar who wants to observe Simon’s life to prepare for an undisclosed role. The man starts shadowing Simon, and it’s later revealed he’s a security guard at the facility where Trevor Slattery is being held by Damage Control.
Simon went with the man to work, then quickly slipped away to free Trevor Slattery from prison. Discovering the security guard was struggling with medical expenses, Simon secretly transferred money to help cover the bills. He located Trevor’s cell and ripped the doors off their hinges. As Simon’s hands began to glow purple, he and Trevor flew out of the Damage Control prison, leaving behind a large hole in the ceiling. Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery were now on the run, their next move uncertain.
How ‘Wonder Man’ Sets Up the MCU’s Future
Disney+
Don’t expect any hints about what’s next for Wonder Man or characters like Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery in the show’s credits. The final episode, and actually none of the episodes, include a scene after the credits. There’s no mention of Simon Williams appearing in a future Avengers movie either.
Okay, so as of right now, don’t expect to see Simon Williams popping up in a major MCU project anytime soon. However, I think the biggest nod to the upcoming Wonder Man movie will probably come in the new Spider-Man film, Brand New Day. That’s because Destin Daniel Cretton, one of the creators and producers behind Wonder Man, is directing it. I’m picturing a quick shot of a Wonder Man poster or maybe a news report about Simon Williams somewhere in the background. The cool thing is, since Wonder Man exists as a movie within the MCU, they can easily include posters for it as set dressing in other shows like the second season of Daredevil: Born Again or Vision Quest. We might even catch glimpses of it in the background of Avengers: Doomsday. But honestly, I think that’s probably going to be the extent of the connections for the time being.
What sets Wonder Man apart is that it’s an MCU series that doesn’t rely on typical superhero tropes. Unlike many other MCU shows like WandaVision or The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it doesn’t build to a huge, climactic action sequence. Instead, it’s more of a comedy, similar to shows like The Studio, Entourage, or Curb Your Enthusiasm, that just happens to be set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This means the inner workings of Hollywood and the personal life of Simon Williams don’t affect the broader MCU storyline, and the ongoing Multiverse Saga stays separate from this show’s events.
Marvel Studios hasn’t announced plans for a second season of Wonder Man yet. The show was revealed in 2022, just before Marvel paused development on other live-action Disney+ series like Strange Academy and Nova. Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum has hinted they’re now focusing on longer, ongoing TV shows that connect to their movies, rather than limited series. Although Wonder Man is currently considered a miniseries, its story could easily continue for multiple seasons, unlike shows like Hawkeye or Moon Knight. Given the cliffhanger ending and the positive response to the show, fans are hoping to see more of Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery’s adventures.
The Real Meaning of ‘Wonder Man’, Explained
Disney+
Despite being presented as a fun, comedic look behind the scenes of filmmaking, Wonder Man explores surprisingly deep ideas. A particularly interesting one is the connection between Simon Williams wanting to keep his powers secret and actors often feeling pressured to hide their true sexual orientation.
The series begins with Simon going through a breakup, and a major theme is his desire to keep his powers secret. This struggle resonates with many people, as Simon often felt like an outcast growing up. He had trouble connecting with others and making friends, even feeling like an outsider within his own family – as a child, he once told his mother he appreciated being accepted for who he was. These feelings of isolation and the need for acceptance are something many viewers can relate to.
Throughout the series, the possibility of Simon Williams’ secret being revealed creates constant tension, prompting viewers to wonder why it would be such a big deal. The idea of a superhero’s powers being a public relations disaster seems absurd, much like the outdated notion that an actor coming out as gay would harm their career. Unfortunately, this remains a real concern for many actors. While Hollywood and society have largely become more accepting of LGBTQ+ rights—though recent political actions suggest progress isn’t guaranteed—a stigma still exists around openly queer actors. Kate Winslet reported in 2021 that she knew of at least four actors concealing their sexuality, fearing it would prevent them from being cast in roles as heterosexual characters.
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Is it fair to prevent Simon from acting simply because he has superpowers? He didn’t ask for these abilities, and the public might assume he was born with them. Should he be punished for something he can’t control? While comparing this situation to the ‘Doorman incident’ isn’t perfect – that incident actually hurt someone – does one person’s actions define all people with powers? It seems unfair, especially considering that Captain America, a white man, starred in films during World War II. If Captain America was allowed to act, why not Simon Williams? It feels like Simon faces an uphill battle, making any success he achieves even more impressive.
A central idea throughout the series is the way movies bring people together. Simon and Trevor first meet at a showing of Midnight Cowboy, and Simon shares a touching moment with his brother Eric at the premiere of Wonder Man. The characters frequently visit various Los Angeles movie theaters, including Highland Park (which closed in 2024), Eagle Rock (now Vidiots), Westwood Village Theater, El Capitan Theater, and the Chinese Theaters.
Movies can also help us remember loved ones we’ve lost. For Simon Williams, wanting to play Wonder Man comes from a strong childhood memory of watching the original film with his father. He especially cherishes this memory – a rare day off school he spent with his dad – and holds it dear since his father has passed away.
The upcoming Wonder Man movie feels like a clever inside joke for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story highlights how seeing the fictional Wonder Man inspired a young Simon Williams to become an actor, and it seems like Marvel is acknowledging its own impact on audiences. As the MCU approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, a whole generation has grown up with these films. While some dismiss superhero movies, many people fondly remember them as a key part of their childhoods and the stories that shaped them. Just like Simon Williams, perhaps the MCU has inspired kids to pursue creative careers or even strive to make a difference in the world.
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2026-01-28 20:13