Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Andrew Sanford | News | July 31, 2026
My wife and I are always behind on the shows we watch for a variety of reasons. We’re going on vacation next week and spent a chunk of last night trying to figure out what show we would try to speed through while we are away, as that’s usually the easiest time to do so. And even then, it’s not guaranteed. Still, we either do that, or we end up getting around to things long after people have already been (rightfully) singing their praises. To that end, we just finished watching Wonder Man two weeks ago (and it took us over a month).
I’m an easy mark when it comes to superhero movies and shows, but even I have grown more resistant over the years. I don’t gobble up everything the way that I used to, and something has to be really special to stand out to me. Wonder Man is one such special thing. It’s an incredible story of friendship, perseverance, and second chances. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley are phenomenal in it, with their relationship having more chemistry than most in the MCU.
The show was also kinda disconnected from the rest of the MCU. Yes, Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery has a level of infamy both in-universe and among wrong-headed fans (Iron Man 3 rules and the satirical Mandarin reveal is one of the best parts), and Arian Moayed’s Damage Control agent connects us to the wider world, but neither character’s relationship to the universe bog down the story. If anything, they serve as gentle reminders that this is part of a larger narrative.
Wonder Man is one of the best things that Marvel has ever produced, and it was renewed for a second season (even though I thought the ending was plenty strong enough to stand on its own). But that continuation is no more, as the show has been cancelled, much to the chagrin of anyone who watched it. People are rightfully bummed (there were lots of all-caps responses in the Pajiba Slack), but Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is trying not to be too stressed, as he posted on his Instagram.
The actor and star thanked fans and YouTubers who watched and enjoyed the show. He explained how happy he was that the show was successfully executed, and ended by noting how he’ll see everyone at the Emmys (he was nominated for his performance). Abdul-Mateen II is one of the hottest actors currently working in Hollywood. He’ll be okay. This will just look more and more like a fumble from Marvel (with another black lead no less).
