Marvel Studios has released a new trailer for its upcoming Wonder Man miniseries, and this time we’re finally seeing what makes Simon Williams more than just another Hollywood actor—we’re getting our first real look at his superpowers.
After multiple trailers that leaned heavily into the show’s meta-commentary on the entertainment industry and its movie-within-a-show structure, MCU fans are finally being treated to traditional superhero action. And judging from the footage, Wonder Man’s abilities might make him one of the most powerful additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A Different Kind of Superhero Introduction
The Wonder Man series, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, has taken an unconventional approach to introducing its titular hero. Previous marketing emphasized the show’s satirical take on Hollywood, with Simon trying to land the role of Wonder Man in an in-universe superhero film reboot—a deliciously meta premise that plays with the nature of superhero stardom.
But this latest trailer shifts gears dramatically, revealing that Simon’s connection to the character he’s auditioning to play goes much deeper than anyone around him realizes. As it turns out, Simon Williams isn’t just an actor hoping to portray a superhero—he is one, whether he’s ready to accept that identity or not.
The Department of Damage Control Gets Involved
The new footage reveals that Simon is very much on the radar of the Department of Damage Control (DODC), the MCU’s government organization that handles superhuman affairs. Viewers first encountered this agency in Spider-Man: Homecoming, where it was established as the bureaucratic arm managing superhuman incidents and the aftermath of superhero battles.
In the trailer, DODC agent P. Cleary, played by Arian Moayed (who previously appeared in Hawkeye), delivers a chilling assessment: “The Department of Damage Control considers Simon Williams an extraordinary threat.”
That word choice—”extraordinary”—suggests Simon’s abilities place him in a different category than your average enhanced individual. The DODC has dealt with plenty of superpowered people, so for them to single Simon out as particularly dangerous implies his capabilities are genuinely formidable.
Powers Under Pressure
The trailer structure cleverly parallels Simon’s emotional journey with the emergence of his abilities. The pressure of landing the Wonder Man role acts as a catalyst, bringing his suppressed trauma and hidden powers to the surface simultaneously. It’s presented almost like a tea kettle reaching its boiling point—the more stress Simon experiences from the audition process, the more his abilities threaten to explode outward.
Several key scenes show Simon struggling to contain whatever is inside him, with the implication being that when these powers fully manifest, the consequences won’t be pretty for anyone nearby. Whether Simon has been actively suppressing his abilities, doesn’t fully understand what he’s capable of, or is only now discovering his powers remains unclear, but the trailer suggests a violent awakening is coming.
A Visual Departure from the Comics
Like many Marvel characters adapted for the MCU, Wonder Man’s powers will take on a different aesthetic for live-action. While specific details about how his abilities will visually manifest remain scarce, the trailer hints at effects that look distinct from other MCU heroes.
This reimagining is standard practice for Marvel Studios, which has consistently adapted comic book powers to work within the more grounded visual language of the films and shows while still maintaining their fantastical nature. Think of how Doctor Strange’s magic looks different from the comics, or how the Scarlet Witch’s powers evolved visually throughout her MCU appearances.
Wonder Man’s Comic Book Abilities
To understand what might be in store for the MCU version, it’s worth examining Simon Williams’ comic book origins and powers. In the source material, Simon was experimented on by the villainous Baron Zemo, who infused him with something called ionic energy.
This transformation granted Simon abilities that put him in the upper echelon of Marvel’s power scale. His enhanced strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes place him on par with heavy hitters like Thor or The Sentry. Beyond that, he possesses near-invulnerability and has even demonstrated a form of immortality, having returned from death at least once in the comics.
Over various storylines, Wonder Man’s abilities have evolved dramatically. At times, he’s transcended his physical form entirely, becoming pure ionic energy. He’s gained the ability to fly, project energy in the form of force beams or eye lasers, and manipulate energy in various ways. Perhaps most interestingly, he can transfer his energies and powers to others, sharing his abilities temporarily.
The question for MCU fans is which of these abilities will make it to the screen, and in what form. Marvel Studios rarely adapts powers exactly as they appear in comics, preferring to find interpretations that work for their specific narrative needs.
A Pivotal New Character for the MCU?
Agent Cleary’s assessment of Simon as an “extraordinary threat” raises intriguing possibilities about Wonder Man’s role in the larger MCU. With the franchise moving into its Multiverse Saga and dealing with increasingly cosmic-level threats, introducing a character with god-tier powers makes strategic sense.
The MCU has been systematically introducing powerful new heroes who can potentially carry the franchise forward as original Avengers age out or depart. Characters like Shang-Chi, Moon Knight, and the Eternals have expanded the power scale considerably. Wonder Man could slot into this upper tier, providing the kind of raw strength and unique abilities that major crossover events require.
His ionic energy-based powers also offer something visually and conceptually different from existing heroes. While the MCU has plenty of super-strong characters, Wonder Man’s energy manipulation abilities and potential invulnerability could make him stand out in ensemble situations.
The Meta-Narrative Layer
What makes Wonder Man particularly interesting is how the show appears to be using Simon’s journey as both a literal superhero origin story and a metaphor for Hollywood’s treatment of actors, identity, and fame. The series seems to be asking: what does it mean to play a superhero when you actually are one? How do you reconcile your true self with the image the industry wants you to project?
This meta-commentary has been central to the show’s marketing, with previous trailers emphasizing the satirical Hollywood elements. Ben Kingsley returns as Trevor Slattery, the actor who pretended to be the Mandarin in Iron Man 3, making Wonder Man’s exploration of superhero authenticity versus performance even more layered.
The cast also includes Demetrius Grosse as Gary, Simon’s brother; Ed Harris as Neal Saroyan, Simon’s agent; and a roster of cameos from MCU veterans playing themselves or fictionalized versions of themselves in the in-universe film production.
When Can We See More?
Wonder Man is set to premiere on Disney+ soon, though an exact release date hasn’t been announced. Given that we’re now seeing substantial footage showcasing Simon’s abilities, the series likely isn’t far off.
The show represents an interesting experiment for Marvel Studios—a superhero series that’s simultaneously about superheroes and about the business of making superhero content. Whether that meta approach will resonate with audiences or feel too self-referential remains to be seen.
But based on this latest trailer, one thing is clear: beneath all the Hollywood satire and industry commentary, Wonder Man still promises to deliver the superpowered action and spectacle that MCU fans expect. Simon Williams may be grappling with whether to embrace his abilities, but the Department of Damage Control has already made up its mind about what he represents.
An extraordinary threat. And potentially, an extraordinary hero.
