Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ Casts Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to Lead Disney+ Series - Variety

Marvel Studios has its Wonder Man.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is acceptable to articulation the Disney+ bid “Wonder Man” arsenic Simon Williams, who transforms into the titular superhero. It volition beryllium Abdul-Mateen’s 3rd large comic publication character, aft playing the villain Black Manta successful 2018’s “Aquaman” and Dr. Manhattan successful HBO’s 2019 bid “Watchmen,” for which helium won an Emmy. He’s already acceptable to reprise Black Manta successful “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” presently scheduled for Christmas 2023.

Filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Marvel’s 2021 diagnostic “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” is processing “Wonder Man” with caput writer Andrew Guest (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Community”), arsenic portion of Cretton’s wide woody with Marvel Studios and Onyx Collective. Cretton whitethorn nonstop arsenic well, though he’s got a crowded plate: He’s already acceptable to nonstop 2025’s “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and he’s expected to helm the prospective (though unannounced) “Shang-Chi” sequel.

In the comic books, Williams is the lad of a affluent industrialist whose company, Williams Innovations, is tally retired of concern owed to contention from Stark Industries. In desperation, Simon turns to Baron Zemo, who gives Simon superpowers and directs him to infiltrate and past betray the Avengers. Eventually, however, Simon joins the Avengers successful earnest, and is adjacent a founding subordinate of the spin-off team, the West Coast Avengers. However, it’s unclear however overmuch oregon small of this storyline volition marque its mode into the series.

It does look likely, though, that William’s comic past arsenic an histrion and stunt performer volition travel into play successful the show, arsenic Ben Kingsley is acceptable to return arsenic failed-actor-turned-reformed-villain Trevor Slattery, which helium originated successful 2013’s “Iron Man 3” and reprised successful “Shang-Chi.”

Marvel Studios has not yet announced a premiere day for “Wonder Man.”

ScreenGeek first reported the news.