{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"544: Wondering about WONDER MAN?","description":"Are you wondering whether Wonder Man is worth your time? In this episode, we break down Marvel\u2019s latest Disney+ series, give you the essential background on the character, and explain what you actually need to know before diving in. From Simon Williams\u2019 comic book origins to his surprising connections with Vision, Scarlet Witch, and the Avengers, we cover the fun facts, controversies, and powers that shaped Wonder Man long before his MCU debut. We also dig into how Wonder Man fits into the MCU under the Marvel Spotlight banner\u2014designed to be more grounded, character-driven, and accessible without deep MCU homework. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a struggling actor hiding dangerous superpowers, and Ben Kingsley returning as Trevor Slattery, the series leans hard into Hollywood satire, mentorship, and the bizarre \u201cDoorman Clause\u201d that bans super-powered people from acting. Our reactions are\u2026 mixed. While the show shines as a personal story about ambition, insecurity, and creative survival\u2014anchored by a standout performance from Ben Kingsley\u2014it struggles with tone, realism, and the weight of its MCU identity. We talk about what works, what doesn\u2019t, and whether Wonder Man feels like a forgotten experiment or a meaningful setup for something bigger down the road. Watch the YouTube version here for the best experience. Listen to the podcast episode here: Written WONDER MAN Review Wonder Man is the 19th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (including both live-action and animated projects) and arrives as part of Phase 6. The series was created by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Andrew Guest (Hawkeye, Community, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, crossing superhero franchises after playing Black Manta in DC\u2019s Aquaman films, stars as Simon Williams, a struggling actor auditioning for the lead in a remake of Wonder Man, a low-budget 1980s action film that Simon once bonded over with his father. Simon carries a dangerous secret: he has explosive superpowers that he can\u2019t fully control. Worse, he must keep those powers hidden if he wants any chance at an acting career thanks to the Doorman Clause, a rule that bars super-powered individuals from working as actors. One episode dives into the origins of this clause, and it\u2019s easily among the series\u2019 most entertaining and imaginative chapters. Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, the infamous actor hired to portray the Mandarin in Iron Man 3. Since then, the character has appeared in the Marvel short All Hail the King and film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Here, Trevor is once again chasing relevance\u2014and is also auditioning for a role in the Wonder Man remake. Interestingly, the series never clearly states where it fits into the MCU timeline. There are only light references\u2014photos on walls, casual mentions of \u201cshield throwing.\u201d Frankly, that restraint is welcome. It\u2019s firmly set in the present day on the main MCU Earth, and that\u2019s more than enough. Had this been set on another timeline or Earth, this review probably wouldn\u2019t exist. Character Over Capes At its core, this is a strong, personal story about two people supporting each other in a brutal industry. Simon approaches acting with intense seriousness\u2014reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman\u2019s character in Tootsie\u2014while Trevor, as a mentor figure, pushes him to loosen up and trust the words on the page. Wonder Man is far more interested in the relationship between Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery than in building a new costumed icon. Through their conversations, the series thoughtfully explores what it actually means to be an actor. Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley make for an engaging, surprisingly balanced duo. The show wisely avoids leaning into easy odd-couple clich\u00e9s, which elevates their dynamic. If you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at show business in The Studio or Hacks, there\u2019s a lot here to like. Wonder Man ups the stakes by adding uncontrollable superpowers into an already stressful industry where almost nothing goes your way. Tone & Reality Gaps Tonally, Wonder Man struggles. It can\u2019t always decide whether it wants to be serious and emotional or silly and farcical. It oscillates between the two. The dialogue is often grounded and well-written, but the situations frequently feel forced\u2014bent to serve the script rather than emerging naturally from reality. Living in Los Angeles, where the series is set, makes some of these moments especially hard to ignore. Being under a tight deadline to submit an audition tape and deciding to drive from Hollywood to Malibu and back\u2014congratulations, you\u2019ve just wasted three hours. These issues extend to the on-set scenes. Having worked in the film industry, many of these moments rang false. A day player wouldn\u2019t halt production because they have extensive notes. There are numerous story hiccups where disbelief must be suspended simply to keep the plot moving. A test audience likely would have flagged many of these. Performances & Standout Moments Any time Ben Kingsley is on screen, he\u2019s impossible not to root for. Simon, by contrast, is difficult to like until the final two episodes. That\u2019s clearly intentional\u2014he\u2019s closed off and emotionally blocked\u2014but watching someone repeatedly sabotage themselves is frustrating, even if it\u2019s thematically justified. One unquestionable highlight is the episode centered on the Doorman Clause, \u201cDoorman\u201d. Josh Gad\u2019s appearance, along with his reworked version of \u201cIn Summer,\u201d is delightful and injects much-needed energy and creativity into the series. Release Strategy & Final Verdict Marvel continues to undermine its TV output with its release strategy. Ironheart dropped its six episodes across two days. Echo released all five at once. Wonder Man follows suit with all eight episodes dropping in a single day. The result? These shows are consumed quickly and forgotten just as fast. By the time Daredevil Season 2 arrives in March, this will likely be one of those \u201cOh yeah\u2026 what happened on Wonder Man again?\u201d series.I went in with an open mind and high expectations\u2014this is Marvel, after all. In the end, I liked Wonder Man, but too much got in the way of loving it. SPONSORS Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you. \ud83d\udc49 Sponsor: SpiritJersey now has their own Star Wars & Disney license! Shop at spiritjersey.com and get FREE shipping with code SKYWLKNVD. SUPPORT THE SHOW Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content. CONTACT US Instagram: http:\/\/instagram.com\/skywalkingpod Twitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/SkywalkingPod Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/skywalkingthroughneverland Send emails to share@skywalkingthroughneverland.com and follow us on Facebook. If you dug this episode, click over to iTunes | Stitcher | YouTube and leave us a review! Never Land on Alderaan! ","author_name":"Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive","author_url":"http:\/\/skywalkingthroughneverland.com","html":"