The MCU’s Latest Star Explains Why Disney+’s Upcoming Marvel Man Present Is Distinctive

One of many newest super-powered additions to the Marvel Tv Universe, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, has revealed what makes the upcoming Disney+ miniseries Marvel Man so particular. In Marvel Man, Abdul-Mateen stars as Simon Williams, an actor hoping to make it massive within the upcoming “Marvel Man” remake, as an acclaimed and eccentric director seems to be to reboot an previous, tacky superhero flick.

Sure, this can be a “superhero” present about making a superhero film, with a twist: Abdul-Mateen’s lead character, Simon Williams, is definitely an actor-turned-superhero referred to as Marvel Man within the comics, too. That is meta-storytelling on a stage we have by no means seen within the MCU earlier than. Apart from a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it energy tease within the newest Marvel Man footage, it might be simple to neglect that is an MCU manufacturing in any respect, if not for one very acquainted face — Sir Ben Kingsley.

In Empire Journal‘s January 2026 challenge, Abdul-Mateen revealed the true coronary heart of Marvel Man‘s story: “The present is self-aware, with out wanting instantly into the digital camera. There will be commentary about superhero fatigue and issues like that, however to me, it is simply dressing. That is not likely the purpose of the present. The main target of the present is about an actor’s journey. It is a few journey of friendship.”

Ben Kingsley co-stars in Marvel Man, reprising his function as Trevor Slattery from Iron Man 3, and, way more lately, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The official Marvel Man trailer even references Trevor’s misguided appearing gig as a “terrorist” often called the Mandarin. Like Simon, Trevor additionally needs to star within the Marvel Man remake, and the pair develop into bonded by means of their shared love of appearing.

Trevor turns into an appearing coach, of types, for Simon, however in accordance with Abdul-Mateen, there’s “a bit extra nuance to the connection. Trevor’s received some knowledge to impart. And as somebody who needs to interrupt into the trade, I will take it.”

Credit score: Disney+ through MovieStillsDB

Whereas the MCU is well-known for bombastic, action-heavy tales and set items, the franchise has taken a extra character-based, artistic method with a few of its Disney+ streaming sequence. Marvel Man, and the significance of Simon’s relationship with Trevor throughout the present, appears set to hold on that comparatively new custom.

WandaVision, as an example, explores Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) relationship with Imaginative and prescient (Paul Bettany) and the harmful energy of grief whereas indulging in a historical past lesson about sitcoms. She-Hulk: Legal professional at Regulation was produced as a real, fourth-wall-breaking sitcom, a far cry from Marvel’s normal components. Marvel Man‘s story of a Hollywood superhero manufacturing suits in nicely with that type of storytelling.

Becoming a member of Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley in Marvel Man are Demetrius Grosse as Simon’s brother, Eric, Zlatko Buric as “Marvel Man’s” reclusive director, Von Kovak, in addition to Lauren Glazier and Byron Bowers. The present was co-created by Shang-Chi and Spider-Man: Model New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton and producer and author Andrew Visitor (Hawkeye, Group).

Marvel Man premieres on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.