Deadline is reporting that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has jumped from DC to Marvel and will play the lead for the studio’s Disney+ series, Wonder Man.
The series was first announced in development back in June, with Destin Daniel Cretton and Co-producer Andrew Guest announcing their involvement. Cretton will direct and executive produce, with Guest serving as head writer.
The Wonder Man character was created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck, Jack Kirby, and was introduced to Marvel Comics in 1964 in The Avengers #9. The son of the industrialist Sanford Williams, Simon Williams assumes control of his munitions outfit following his passing, seeing its successes limited when it comes into competition with Tony Stark’s Stark Industries. The younger Williams gains ion-based superpowers, including super strength, while working under the villainous Baron Zemo and establishing himself as an antagonist to The Avengers, though he later decides to become part of that superhero team.
Abdul-Mateen is credited for his work on HBO's Watchmen, winning his first Emmy in 2020 for his turn as Cal Abar/Dr. Manhattan in the show based on the DC Comic. The actor is movie credited with 2018’s Aquaman, in which he'll reprise his role as David Kane aka Black Manta in the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which is slated for release on December 25th, 2023.