Marvel Finally Completes the MCU’s Secret Trilogy After 13 Years (& It’s Perfect)

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2013 is often seen as a weaker year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially considering its early films. That year brought two sequels, but they weren’t both hits. Thor: The Dark World was almost universally disliked, while Iron Man 3 proved much more polarizing. While most people didn’t enjoy The Dark World, Iron Man 3 had fans on both sides – some loved it, and others strongly disliked it. Thor: The Dark World was simply uninspired, but Iron Man 3 sparked debate. Some viewers were turned off by things like Tony Stark spending much of the film without his suit, and his sometimes harsh treatment of the young character Harley Keener.

The biggest surprise for many was that Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of the Mandarin turned out to be a clever deception, essentially a joke. While a funny one, it initially left some fans disappointed. However, Marvel has since built upon that surprise, turning it into a surprisingly strong and well-developed storyline within the larger universe.

Spoilers for Wonder Man follow.

What Makes the Trevor Slattery Trilogy So Good?

What makes the big reveal in Iron Man 3 so effective is Ben Kingsley’s reputation as a truly exceptional actor – many consider him one of the best ever. Seeing him play a washed-up, rambling actor struggling with addiction was a surprising and brilliant departure from his acclaimed roles in films like House of Sand and Fog and Gandhi.

Kingsley admitted it was the most ridiculous role he’d ever taken, but he still managed to portray Trevor Slattery as someone who genuinely believed he was hired to act as a terrorist – and conveniently earn some money for drugs in the process.

Slattery easily could have been a one-dimensional comedic character – arrested, imprisoned, and forgotten. However, director Destin Daniel Cretton, known for his excellent work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recognized his potential and included him in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Even in those instances, the character was mostly played for laughs. While we saw glimpses of a more heartfelt side, the performance remained largely comedic. Later, the creator, who enjoyed working with Kingsley, co-created Wonder Man and gave Slattery his most significant role yet: Barnaby in Wonder Man, and importantly, a close friend to the main character, Simon Williams.

Kingsley and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II have fantastic on-screen chemistry, convincingly portraying the characters’ close friendship. Kingsley also effectively conveys Slattery’s desperate attempts to avoid prison, and this time, we see his hesitation about the lengths he’ll go to in order to stay free.

Slattery’s ultimate act of selflessness, protecting Williams’ secret, beautifully completes his character journey. The story concludes with possibilities for both Williams and Slattery to return, but for now, Slattery’s story feels complete and incredibly rewarding.

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2026-01-31 01:11