Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Heads Marvel’s “Wonder Man”

After six years of work—including “Aquaman,” “Watchmen,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” and “The Handmaid’s Tale”—Yahya Abdul-Mateen II felt depleted and turned down a nine-month shoot for “Furiosa.” While starring in Broadway’s “Topdog/Underdog,” he received the script for Marvel’s “Wonder Man.” He insisted on a Zoom with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige before signing, emphasizing that he viewed the role as his singular opportunity within the Marvel franchise.

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Abdul-Mateen left “Furiosa” seeking stability, describing his life as “mostly a storage unit.” The Broadway run of “Topdog/Underdog” earned him a Tony nomination and revived his creative energy, aligning with Marvel’s search for a lead who could blend comedy and drama.

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The series stars Abdul-Mateen as Simon, a struggling actor with uncontrolled ionic powers. Destin Daniel Cretton directs and executive-produces, emphasizing the need for an actor who could “go head-to-head with Sir Ben Kingsley,” who co-stars as Trevor Slattery. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige approved the casting. Abdul-Mateen’s production company, House Eleven10, partners with Netflix on future projects.

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Marvel ordered a second season of “Wonder Man” in March, confirming the writers’ room will continue without a tonal shift. Cretton emphasized that the series will retain its tone and character focus. House Eleven10’s Netflix partnership includes Abdul-Mateen starring and producing the upcoming feature “Bio.”

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Abdul-Mateen, raised by a Muslim father and Christian mother, stated his mission is “to push more Black and diverse stories with more Black and diverse leads at a quality level that matches what I’ve done in my career.” He links his on-screen work to broader social concerns, arguing that religious framing in politics distracts from “human problems” rooted in power and greed.

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Cretton described Abdul-Mateen’s casting as meeting a brief for “a really good actor who could go head-to-head with Sir Ben Kingsley,” highlighting his “insane levity.” Marvel confirmed the Season 2 order and reiterated a commitment to preserve the series’ tone. Abdul-Mateen’s remarks on representation were presented as part of his broader advocacy.

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• “I only get one of these Marvel bucks to spin,” — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

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• “I told him, ‘One of the things I like about the character is that he’s funny. And I am funny.’ And when I said I’m funny, he pointed to me, as if to say, ‘Yes!'” — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

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• “He brought a kind of insane levity to certain scenes that had the whole audience just rolling on the ground laughing,” — Destin Daniel Cretton, Director

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• “We love these characters. We’re not planning to suddenly turn this into a completely different show.” — Destin Daniel Cretton

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Season 2 of “Wonder Man” begins production later this year, with the writers’ room shaping new arcs. Abdul-Mateen said, “I want to put Simon in ‘Independence Day.’” His Netflix partnership will also see him produce and star in “Bio,” expanding his behind-camera role.

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