The Real Reason Wonder Man Never Joined the Avengers
Wonder Man has the powers but not a spot on the Avengers roster. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II finally explains why Simon Williams never joined the team in the MCU.
If you have been wondering why the MCU version of Wonder Man isn't suiting up with the Avengers even though he already has powers, the star just spelled it out. It's less about saving the world and more about what happens when a performer chases meaning through the work.
So why isn't Simon Williams an Avenger?
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who plays Simon Williams in Disney+'s Wonder Man, was asked by The Direct why his character chooses to act as a superhero on camera instead of becoming one for real. He said the question made him think about what that says about Simon: that he's an artist, a sensitive soul. Then he paused mid-thought, turned to his co-star Ben Kingsley (back as Trevor Slattery), and asked if he had used the phrase "heroic acting." He couldn't remember the setup, so Kingsley jumped in to clarify.
"The context was: Would you rather be a hero or an actor? As if the two are not interchangeable or can never occupy the same person at the same time. But I believe they can."
From there, Abdul-Mateen emphasized that "heroic acting" is exactly what Simon is after. In other words, Williams isn't dodging responsibility; he's trying to find a version of heroism that runs through the craft. It's a very showbiz answer, and honestly it fits the guy.
What this show actually is
Wonder Man runs eight episodes and follows Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery as they hustle for roles in Hollywood's remake of "Wonder Man." Yes, it's as meta as it sounds: a powered actor playing a superhero, auditioning to play a superhero. If you like your MCU with a little industry mirror held up to it, that's the angle.
Who's making it
The series is co-created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest. Cretton previously directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and, more recently, Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Release date and early buzz
Wonder Man hits Disney+ on January 27, 2026. Early reviews landed ahead of the premiere, and the show is sitting at a 90% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics mostly positive. Not bad for a story about a guy who could join the Avengers but chooses the stage instead.