Creative Transformation of Simon Williams by ‘Wonder Man’ Makers

Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man series on Disney+ is bringing a fresh take on Simon Williams, thanks to creators Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Young. They’ve been given the creative freedom to reimagine this classic comic character for the MCU in a totally new way. Simon Williams, brought to life by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, first appeared in Marvel Comics back in 1964. While he has a long history in the comics, the creators are not sticking to any specific comic storyline for the show. Instead, Marvel encouraged them to focus on a character-driven narrative set in the entertainment industry.

Andrew Young shared that they weren’t tied to traditional comic arcs, allowing them to delve into Simon’s Hollywood relationships and superhuman abilities. Williams is no ordinary superhero; he’s also a successful actor, which inspired the show’s unique focus on his dual identity. Rather than a typical superhero story, Wonder Man aims to portray Simon as an artist with extraordinary powers. The series explores his dynamic with Trevor Slattery, played by Ben Kingsley, making it more of a character study than a big action-packed MCU extravaganza.

One big mystery the series leaves open-ended is the origin of Simon’s powers, hinting at a connection to his childhood. This has led to fan speculation about whether he could be an undisclosed mutant within the MCU. When pressed for more details, both Cretton and Young remained tight-lipped, suggesting that this mystery could be explored further down the road.

Cretton has hinted that viewers shouldn’t expect a typical superhero show with Wonder Man. While the series may surprise some, the emotional depth and character exploration are sure to resonate with audiences. According to the creators, the superhero genre serves as a backdrop for exploring internal conflicts rather than endless action sequences.

All eight episodes of Wonder Man will premiere on January 27 on Disney+. The series was born out of discussions between Cretton, Schwartz, Broussard, and Gay during the making of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The idea of exploring an “actor’s journey” narrative merged with a Hollywood theme to create a unique two-hander between Simon and Slattery. Cretton’s multi-year deal with Marvel Studios laid the groundwork for the show, with Andrew Guest joining as head writer to help develop the series.