Ben Kingsley To Reprise Trevor Slattery In Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ Series On Disney+

Ben Kingsley To Reprise Trevor Slattery In Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ Series On Disney+

According to reports, Ben Kingsley is set to reprise his MCU role of Trevor Slattery in the developing Marvel series ‘Wonder Man‘ for Disney+.

News of a ‘Wonder Man’ series first surfaced in June this year, with ‘Shang-Chi’ director and co-writer Destin Daniel Cretton set to helm the project. If you’re unfamiliar with Wonder Man, the character first appeared in 1964. Simon Williams, son of a rich industrialist, inherits his father’s company, Williams Innovations, however, the company is failing, mainly due to competition from Stark Industries. He is caught trying to embezzle money from the company, but is bailed out by Baron Zemo who offers to transform him into an ion-powered superhuman in exchange for infiltrating the Avengers. Williams agrees, and becomes ‘Wonder Man’, although eventually betrays Zemo and sides with the Avengers instead.

Kingsley first popped up in the MCU as playing “The Mandarin” the supposed terrorist leader of the Ten Rings, and the apparent main antagonist in ‘Iron Man 3’. However, it was soon revealed that he wasn’t actually “The Mandarin”, but a failed actor called Trevor Slattery who took on the role after being approached by Aldrich Killian (played by Guy Pierce). Unfortunately for Trevor, Xu Wenwu, the real leader of the Ten Rings, didn’t take too kindly to Slattery’s deception, but rather than kill him, he uses him as his “court jester” to entertain his troops. It is here in captivity he runs into ‘Shang-Chi’, who helps him escape from the Ten Rings Headquarters by serving as a guide and translator.

As often happens with the MCU, the origins of ‘Wonder Man’ are rumoured to be a little different to the comics, and it is being set as a “Hollywood satire”. In the comics, Simon Williams does work as a stuntman for a time (which, given he is an invulnerable superhuman, makes sense,) and it looks like that may be part of the plot they will use for the series. That may also help as a way to tie Kingsley’s failed actor Slattery into the show.

Destin Daniel Cretton would serve as EP and co-creator on the series, and potentially direct. Andrew Guest (‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine, ’30 Rock’, ‘Hawkeye’) would be head writer and co-creator. Cretton is set play a large part of the MCU’s future, returning as director for the ‘Shang-Chi’ sequel and the Phase 6 film ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’.

The ‘Wonder Man‘ series has yet to be officially announced by Marvel, and Marvel Studios don’t comment on developing projects, however, we will let you know when we hear more.