‘Wonder Man’: Sir Ben Kingsley on How Simon’s Friendship Changes Trevor

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Marvel’s upcoming series, Wonder Man, is generating a lot of excitement among fans as the first show planned for release in 2026. Early buzz even called it the best Marvel show yet! The series is a clever look inside the world of Hollywood and superhero movies, and focuses on an unexpected friendship. It follows two actors, Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley), who are both trying to land the same role: the lead in a big-budget remake of a superhero film called, appropriately, Wonder Man.

In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Ben Kingsley talked about the interesting relationship between his character in Wonder Man – a struggling actor trying to get back on his feet – and the up-and-coming actor played by Mateen. Kingsley described their bond as being built on Trevor’s bluntness, but emphasized that it comes from a sincere place. He shared that a past experience helped him connect with the role, recalling a surprisingly honest note from a fellow actor that showed him how impactful tough criticism can be. Kingsley realized that genuine feedback is often more valuable than just receiving praise.

I’ve always been struck by the way Simon responded to Trevor. It wasn’t flattery, but a bracing honesty. Trevor wasn’t afraid to tell Simon exactly what he thought, even if it meant saying things like, ‘This is nonsense! This is a waste of time!’ And honestly, that’s the best feedback you can get from a fellow actor or director – someone willing to be truly truthful. It reminded me of working with Sir John Gielgud, a legend. I was rehearsing, and he came to the back of the theatre. Afterwards, he actually knocked on my dressing room door and, with complete sincerity, told me, ‘Can’t hear a word.’ It was a perfect note – direct and incredibly helpful.

He said the most helpful feedback he received was simply, ‘Can’t hear a word.’ At first, it was a bit jarring to have someone tell him that, especially right before a performance. But he realized it was a valuable, honest critique – a much-needed reality check in an industry filled with superficiality. He was speaking too quickly, and that direct feedback cut through all the noise.

Simon and Trevor’s Friendship Might Have Room to Grow


Disney+

Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest created the new Marvel series, Wonder Man, with Guest also leading the show’s production. It’s part of Marvel Spotlight, meaning you don’t need to be an expert on the Marvel Cinematic Universe to enjoy it – it’s designed to be accessible for everyone. The first season has eight episodes and will be available all at once on Disney+ starting January 27th. If viewers like it, a second season is likely, allowing the story and the friendship between the main characters, Simon and Trevor, to continue.

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Kingsley has a clear vision for a second season of Wonder Man, but it’s still too soon to know if it will happen. Early signs are good, though – the show is getting fantastic reviews and has a strong Rotten Tomatoes score ahead of its premiere. Critics are loving it, placing it among the best Disney+ Marvel shows like WandaVision, Loki, and Hawkeye. This positive buzz should build excitement and increase viewership, which will be a key factor in deciding whether to renew the series.

All eight episodes of Wonder Man will be released on Disney+ on Jan. 27, 2026.

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2026-01-27 18:35