Marvel’s Next TV Show Completes a 13-Year MCU Trilogy You Didn’t Realize Existed

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Marvel Television is changing how it makes shows, moving away from limited series to focus on programs designed to run for many seasons. We’re already seeing this with *Daredevil: Born Again*, which has been renewed for a third season before its second even airs, and animated series like *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man* and *X-Men ’97* which are planned for three seasons each. One of the last shows created under the old approach is the upcoming *Wonder Man*, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Notably, it also brings back Sir Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, the character he originally played in *Iron Man 3* over ten years ago.

Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum recently discussed the surprising development of Ben Kingsley’s character, Trevor, on the *Phase Hero* podcast. He praised writer Drew Pierce’s idea to reimagine the Mandarin – a character with a complex history – as both an actor and a figure used for propaganda. Winderbaum called the reveal of Trevor in *Iron Man 3* one of the funniest moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and shared that Kingsley enjoyed the role so much he was eager to reprise it. This enthusiasm was the main reason for creating the Marvel One-Shot, *All Hail the King*. Winderbaum emphasized that Kingsley is a phenomenal actor, and Marvel felt lucky he wanted to be involved.

Trevor didn’t disappear after appearing in that short film; he made a notable return in *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*. Marvel producer Kevin Winderbaum explained that when Jonathan Schwartz and Destin Daniel Cretton were developing *Shang-Chi*, they decided to continue Trevor’s storyline from the short. The film picked up with Trevor having been imprisoned and then taken hostage by the Ten Rings, allowing them to build on existing story elements. Winderbaum described how seemingly minor plot points at Marvel often evolve into significant parts of the narrative, and that’s exactly what happened with Trevor’s story. Now, with Trevor set to reappear in *Wonder Man*, Winderbaum confirmed that the character’s journey will essentially form a trilogy of appearances.

Wonder Man Completes Trevor’s MCU Trilogy, But There’s More to Come

Although the first season of *Wonder Man* seems designed to wrap up Trevor Slattery’s story, there’s a chance it could continue. During an appearance on the *Phase Hero* podcast, Marvel executive Winderbaum hinted at a possible second season. He started to explain potential future storylines but was cut off by the audience’s excited reaction. Winderbaum then made it clear that the show’s renewal depends entirely on how many people watch it. He stated that if the viewership is high enough, they can create more seasons, reflecting the current media landscape where audience numbers are key.

The upcoming movie *Wonder Man* offers a great way to bring back the character Trevor Slattery. The story centers on Simon Williams, an actor and stuntman hoping to be cast as the lead in a new *Wonder Man* film. This setup allows Trevor to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as another actor vying for the same role. After escaping the Ten Rings organization, he’s back in the acting world, and his strange past – being known as the face of a terrorist group – makes him stand out. The movie’s core revolves around the contrast between Simon, who is just starting his career, and Trevor, a fading actor. This creates opportunities for Trevor to guide Simon, serve as a warning about the industry, or simply provide comic relief as they both deal with the craziness of Hollywood, all while real superheroes exist in the world.

Wonder Man debuts on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.

What part of Trevor Slattery’s return in *Wonder Man* are you looking forward to the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-17 15:42