Tag: destin-cretton

  • TV Review: ‘Wonder Man’ Season 1

    Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
    Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.

    Arriving on Disney+ on January 27 is the first season of Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man‘. All eight episodes, which dive into the life of struggling super-powered actor Simon (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), will be released that evening.

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    The series also stars Sir Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role as Trevor Slattery, and Arian Moayed, who returns as Department of Damage Control Agent P. Cleary.

    Related Article: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Joins the Cast of ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) and Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.
    (L to R) Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) and Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.

    Simon Williams is one of the lesser known Marvel characters. He is not Iron Man, Captain America, or even Hawkeye. So to focus a series on him comes with a little bit of risk from the studio. That said, this is the perfect series to allow Marvel to embrace their comedic side. Simon Williams is an actor, which means that ‘Wonder Man’ gets to dive into a metaness that industry folks, and Marvel fans, will enjoy.

    Script and Direction

    (Center) Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
    (Center) Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.

    Directors Destin Daniel Cretton and James Ponsoldt know exactly what they are doing with a show like this. Those who work in the industry will love all of the references to the audition process, crafty, and what goes on behind the camera.

    The story itself is intriguing from the start, and only gets better the longer it goes on. While there are some things that could be fine tuned, the overall pacing and timing of reveals is brilliant.

    What is best described as this season’s standalone episode, episode four, tells a much needed backstory that helps bring clarity to the second half of the season. With exciting guest stars and a dark, twisted, premise, it stands out as the best of the season.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.
    (L to R) Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.

    The reason this series works as well as it does is because of the unmatched chemistry between the leads, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Sir Ben Kingsley. They bring both humor and heart to the roles, and the relationship of their character, making it easy for viewers to root for them.

    Arian Moayed’s Agent P. Cleary is the perfect villain for a series like this. Fans have seen him time and again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he is truly allowed time to shine in ‘Wonder Man’.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Melanie (Juliette Ortega) and Von Kovak (Zlatko Buric) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.
    (L to R) Melanie (Juliette Ortega) and Von Kovak (Zlatko Buric) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.

    ‘Wonder Man’ will surely be enjoyed more by those who know the ins and outs of the industry, but it is not written in a way that will alienate viewers who are not a part of it. Thanks to the great chemistry between the leads and smart writing, this fast-paced sitcom is absolutely worth checking out.

     

    ‘Wonder Man’ Season 1 receives 78 out of 100.

    Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.
    Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. © 2025 MARVEL.

    What’s the plot of ‘Wonder Man’?

    Aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams is struggling to get his career off the ground. During a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery, an actor whose biggest roles may be well behind him, Simon learns legendary director Von Kovak is remaking the superhero film ‘Wonder Man’. These two actors at opposite ends of their careers doggedly pursue life-changing roles in this film as audiences get a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry.

    Who stars in ‘Wonder Man’ Season 1?

    • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams
    • Sir Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery
    • Arian Moayed as Agent P. Cleary
    • Zlatko Burić as Von Kovak
    Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television's 'Wonder Man', exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.
    Simon Williams/Wonder Man (Yahya Adbul-Mateen II) in Marvel Television’s ‘Wonder Man’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Television. © 2025 MARVEL.

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  • Russo Brothers Eye Marvel Return for Next Two ‘Avengers’ Movies

    Anthony Russo and Joe Russo attend Netflix's 'The Gray Man' Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2022 in Hollywood, California.
    (L to R) Anthony Russo and Joe Russo attend Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man’ Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Preview:

    • Filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo are in talks to handle the next two ‘Avengers’ movies.
    • Marvel wants them for an untitled 2026 effort and 20207’s ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’.
    • They have yet to officially commit.

    It has been a few years of swings and roundabouts for Marvel, both in general and in particular when it comes to plans for the company’s next two giant team-up movies under the ‘Avengers’ banner.

    The new movies, which are still going through a tricky development process, will gather various characters (both legacy and newer) to tackle giant threats. And they’d be compared to the massively (think $4 billion dollars combined massively) successful ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’.

    So, who is the Marvel team looking to recruit to take on that not-miniscule challenge? How about the directors of, er, ‘Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame’?

    Yes, take a bow Joe and Anthony Russo, who are now in early talks to make both movies, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

    Related Article: ‘Shang-Chi’ Director Destin Daniel Cretton Reportedly no Longer Aboard ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’

    What has happened with the new ‘Avengers’ movies so far?

    Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.'
    Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.’

    To say the road to the new ‘Avengers’ films has been problematic is to say the ocean can be a tad damp.

    Originally announced as part of a big reveal by studio boss Kevin Feige at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con about future “phase” developments, the new movies were called ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’.

    ‘The Kang Dynasty’ has been the real sticking point here. Though the plan had presumably been to build to a confrontation with Jonathan Majors’ multiversal villain, Majors found himself cut by Marvel after accusations (and, later a guilty result) of harassment.

    While ‘Shang-Chi’ director Destin Daniel Cretton boarded the film shortly after it was announced, he’s since stepped away. ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s Shawn Levy has reportedly offered been the gig since then, but reports about the Russos’ potential input means he seemingly passed on the idea.

    And on the writing front, veteran Marvel scribe Michael Waldron, creator of the ‘Loki’ series, was the most recent person hired to work on the script for the movie, which is currently without a title, likely so Marvel can find a fresh focus.

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    ‘Secret Wars’ has been more of a mystery on the filmmaking front.

    What is Marvel’s ‘Secret Wars?

    Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: Secret Wars.'
    Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’

    ‘Secret Wars’ would draw from (through the usual Marvel movie filter where changes will be made) a pair of 1980s comic book series focused on an all-powerful antagonist known as the Beyonder, who in the first installment pitted Marvel’s heroes and villains against each other on a planet known as Battleworld.

    In a 2015 revival by Jonathan Hickman, the resulting conflict left the multiverse collapsed, the survivors living on a single planet ruled by classic villain Doctor Doom. We’ll have to wait and see whether that actually happens, though some of Hickman’s run has been referenced on screen in ‘Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness’.

    The Russos have previously talked about their enthusiasm for ‘Secret Wars’, so you can certainly see the appeal for them. We’d be shocked if they didn’t look to collaborate again with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who wrote most of their previous Marvel output.

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    What have the Russo brothers worked on since ‘Endgame’?

    Ryan Gosling as Six in 'The Gray Man.'
    Ryan Gosling as Six in ‘The Gray Man.’ Photo: Stanislav Honzik/Netflix © 2022.

    Since their Marvel stint, the pair have become powerhouse producers, backing the likes of Prime Video’s ‘Citadel’ series and Netflix’s Chris Hemsworth-starring action movie franchise ‘Extraction’. They also helped shepherd Oscar winner ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

    And on the directorial front, the brothers made Apple movie ‘Cherry’ starring Tom Holland (no stranger to the Russos’ work) and Netflix action thriller ‘The Gray Man’, starring Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling.

    Upcoming, they have Netflix sci-fi ‘The Electric State’, which finished shooting last year and has been going through post-production. That should be with us later this year.

    The directors had talked about more from the world of ‘The Gray Man’, but if the take the chance to return to Marvel, that will go strictly on the backburner (unless they hand off another movie to someone else).

    When will the next two ‘Avengers’ movies head to screens?

    Marvel is planning to have the first –– still without an official title as of writing –– in theaters on May 1st, 2026, with ‘Secret Wars’ following on May 7th, 2027.

    A safe pair of hands, then, but clearly a pair Marvel is hoping will return.

    Anthony Russo and Joe Russo attend Netflix's 'The Gray Man' Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2022 in Hollywood, California.
    (L to R) Anthony Russo and Joe Russo attend Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man’ Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Netflix.

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  • Marvel Taps Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct ‘Shang-Chi’: Report

    Marvel Taps Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct ‘Shang-Chi’: Report

    Shang Chi
    Marvel

    Marvel has selected Destin Daniel Cretton as the director of “Shang-Chi,” its first superhero movie with an Asian lead.

    Deadline reports the Hawaiian-born Cretton will helm the film, which is being scripted by Chinese-American writer Dave Callaham.

    Cretton is best known for writing and directing the 2013 acclaimed indie “Short Term 12,” which starred “Captain Marvel’s” Brie Larson. He is currently working with Larson again, as well as Michael B. Jordan, on “Just Mercy.”

    Marvel is reportedly hoping that “Shang-Chi” can be as groundbreaking (and successful) as “Black Panther,” which had a black director in Ryan Coogler and starred a nearly all-black cast.

    Shang-Chi made his first comic book appearance in 1973, around the time that “Enter the Dragon” and other martial arts films were very popular. The protagonist is the son of a Chinese globalist who grew up training in martial arts in a reclusive compound.

    He eventually goes into the world to do his revered father’s bidding, but soon learns his father may not be the humanitarian he’s claimed to be. Later, Shang-Chi joins the Avengers.

    With “Avengers: Endgame” seemingly closing the first chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio has been diversifying its film slate. “Captain Marvel,” its first female-led superhero movie, has been flying high at the box office. A “Black Widow” standalone film is in development, as is “Black Panther 2.”

  • Brie Larson Joins Michael B. Jordan in ‘Just Mercy’ Movie

    Brie Larson Joins Michael B. Jordan in ‘Just Mercy’ Movie

    Brie Larson, Michael B. Jordan
    Twitter/Marvel Studios

    Captain Marvel and Killmonger are teaming up! Sort of.

    According to Variety, Brie Larson is in final negotiations to join the movie “Just Mercy,” alongside Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx.

    The film is based on the book “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption,” telling the true story of Bryan Stevenson (Jordan), a gifted young lawyer fighting for equal justice in a flawed legal system.

    Variety didn’t have any details on Larson’s role.

    “Just Mercy” is set to start production next month in Atlanta. It’s directed by Destin Cretton, who just directed Brie Larson in “The Glass Castle.”

    This is a busy time for both Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan. He’s hot off “Black Panther,” and has “Creed II” coming out November 21. She headlines the next movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the highly anticipated “Captain Marvel,” which comes out March 8, 2019.

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