Black Internet Reacts to Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ Series
- Marvel's newest series "Wonder Man" starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has officially hit Disney+!
- As we told you before, in this new show, Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon williams, a second-generation Haitian American who has dreams of becoming Hollywood's next leading man and...
- Over the course of eight episodes, audiences watch as the two actors, who are at complete opposite ends of their careers, pursue life-changing roles all while navigating the...
Marvel’s newest series “Wonder Man” starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has officially hit Disney+! And while the show may veer off into a different direction, tone and style compared to some of the MCU’s othre projects, it’s hitting all the right notes for a myriad of black folks online.
As we told you before, in this new show, Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon williams, a second-generation Haitian American who has dreams of becoming Hollywood’s next leading man and is struggling to get his acting career off the ground. After a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery (played by Sir Ben Kingsley), Williams becomes one step closer to his goal when he learns that a legendary director is about to remake his childhood favorite superhero film, “Wonder man.”
Over the course of eight episodes, audiences watch as the two actors, who are at complete opposite ends of their careers, pursue life-changing roles all while navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry and the not-so-solid relationships that are forged as a part of the journey.
His journey is also complicated by the fact that Williams has some sort of super-powers that manifest when he’s overwhelmed or angry. And due to a particular clause in Hollywood, people with powers aren’t allowed anywhere near a set or studio.
seeing as how Williams is an emerging actor, a career path that the average person never chooses, it begs the question of why his character resonates so hard with Black folks?
Simon Williams’ Anxiety Feels Familiar
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Well, let the slew of social media reactions tell it, it has largely to do with his obvious and oft-times crippling anxiety that’s constantly on display while he’s in pursuit of his dreams.
On more than one occasion, we see Williams deal (albeit poorly) with his anxious feelings, something that seemed to have been budding since he was a child. Now as a working adult, his overthinking and lack of self-assuredness regularly sabotages his progress.and that was something many viewers could relate to.
“simon Williams is representation for those of us who have bad anxiety,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“what Simon is experiencing is antiBlack ableism in the same realm as Isaiah Bradley[another Black MCU character, a super soldier]. . He’s considered hazardous and unstable, as his power manifested in the body of a black man who suffe
“Wonder Man” Series Sparks Discussion on Black Male Identity and the Actor’s Struggle
The Disney+ series “Wonder Man” is generating conversation on social media platform Threads, with users discussing themes of identity, emotional control, and the challenges faced by Black creatives and actors. Posts reveal a range of reactions, from critical analysis of a character’s behavior to expressions of personal resonance with the show’s themes.
Controversial Commentary on Character Portrayal
One Threads user sparked debate with a post criticizing a Black male character’s emotional outbursts and destructive behavior. The user suggested this behavior stemmed from “pent up anger from being alienated” due to a hidden secret and strained family relationships, adding that it’s ”hard AF being a creative Black man.” The original post, archived here, has prompted discussion about societal expectations and the portrayal of Black men in media.It is indeed critically important to note that this commentary is presented as a user’s opinion and does not represent a universally held view.
“Wonder Man” Provides Representation for Actors
Conversely,other users found the series deeply relatable and empowering. One actor shared on Threads that watching “Wonder Man” provided a sense of validation and recognition, especially through the character of Simon Williams. The user, @giojohnson, stated the show affirmed the value of their “gift and difference” despite external criticism. This highlights the importance of representation in media and its impact on individuals who feel marginalized or misunderstood.
The Realities of Self-Tapes Resonate with Actors
The challenges of the audition process, specifically the creation of self-tape auditions, also resonated with viewers. Another user, @jelani.estelle, expressed being “triggered” by the “Self Tape” episode of “Wonder Man,” acknowledging the often-unseen struggles actors face in securing roles. Self-tape auditions have become increasingly common in the entertainment industry, requiring actors to independently film and edit their performances, frequently enough under pressure and with limited resources. A 2023 Backstage report detailed the rising costs associated with self-taping, estimating actors spend an average of $200-$500 per audition on equipment, coaching, and editing.
“Wonder Man,” starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, premiered on Disney+ on January 19, 2024, and explores the origin story of Simon Williams, a Hollywood actor who unexpectedly gains superpowers. Disney+ provides further data about the series.