A DC villain, and now, a Marvel hero. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will lead Disney’s upcoming Wonder Man series.
The live-action Marvel series comes from Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and Hawkeye producer Andrew Guest. Cretton will executive produce and direct, while Guest serves as head writer.
Wonder Man first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1964 in The Avengers run. Wonder Man, aka Simon Williams, is the son of the industrialist Sanford Williams. He assumes control of his father’s munitions outfit following his passing, seeing its successes limited when it comes into competition with Tony Stark’s Stark Industries. Simon gains ion-based superpowers, including super strength, while working under the villainous Baron Zemo and establishing himself as an antagonist to The Avengers, though he later decides to become part of that same superhero team.
Abdul-Mateen is known for his role on HBO’s Watchmen series as Cal Abar/Dr. Manhattan; he won an Emmy for his performance. He’s also Black Manta in the DC Universe, appearing in 2018’s Aquaman opposite Jason Momoa. Abdul-Mateen will reprise his Black Manta role in the upcoming sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Outside his ties to superheroes, Abdul-Mateen has appeared in a number of other big-name projects, including The Matrix: Resurrections, Nia DaCosta’s Candyman, Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-nominated Trial of the Chicago 7, and Jordan Peele’s Us.
Wonder Man will air on Disney+.
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Source: Deadline
