Wonder Man Preview Reveals Marvel's Most Self-Referential TV Show Ever

The Marvel studio is aware that viewers could be experiencing some superhero exhaustion, so they've decided to incorporate that very idea into their next superhero series.

That's right, the debut preview for Wonder Man has been released, and it promises a self-referential angle on the MCU.

The preview, which debuted on Oct. 10, also quietly moved the Wonder Man launch date back from its initial late 2025 slot into January 2026.

Why one more superhero film? People is weary of superheroes. Why watch them in the theater? Wonder Man spoke to me on a deep level. There is an opportunity to surprise viewers. To reinvent the entire genre of storytelling.

The interviewer replies: "Have you given any thought about casting?"

The preview then cuts to lead actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who's watching the interview on his mobile device, and the trailer concludes.

Photo: Marvel Comics Group

What We Know Regarding Wonder Man

We already knew that Wonder Man would be a self-referential interpretation on the MCU. The show features Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the character Simon Williams, a Hollywood actor who transforms into a superhero (Wonder Man).

The supporting cast includes Ben Kingsley reprising his role as Iron Man 3's Trevor Slattery, Demetrius Grosse as Eric Williams (also known as Grim Reaper), Ed Harris as Simon's agent Neal Saroyan, and Arian Moayed returning as Department of Damage Control officer P. Cleary.

The Studio's Meta-Humor Approach

We don't know much else about the plot of Wonder Man, but it's evident that Marvel plans to poke some fun at itself.

In the wake of Deadpool & Wolverine, it appears like the production company is fully committed on self-referential comedy. Will that work without the celebrity appeal of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman? We'll have to wait and see.