Wonder Man Accidentally Became MCU’s Most Political Disney+ Show

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Wonder Man is being hailed as a success for Disney and Marvel Studios, with viewers and critics enjoying its humorous take on Hollywood and the strong connection between the main characters. However, most discussions have overlooked the show’s potential connection to current political issues in the United States.

Wonder Man follows Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an aspiring actor hoping to become a star. He crosses paths with Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) at a classic movie showing. Slattery, known for previously playing a villain in Iron Man 3, is looking to reignite his acting career after those events involved fabricated videos.

Williams and Slattery quickly connected, and Slattery began guiding Williams as they both tried out for the new Wonder Man movie. This role was a dream come true for Williams, as the original film inspired him to pursue acting. Williams was hoping to play the main hero, while Slattery auditioned for the part of the hero’s close friend. What Williams didn’t realize was that their meeting wasn’t a coincidence.

After the events of the movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Trevor Slattery was arrested when he came back to the U.S. He’d been taken from prison by the actual Mandarin, but Shang-Chi saved him, and he even spent some time in the magical realm of Ta Lo. Facing the possibility of going back to prison, Slattery made a deal to work as a spy for the Department of Damage Control, monitoring a man named Williams.

MCU’s Department of Damage Control explained

Damage Control first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a flashback scene in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Originally, in the comics, Damage Control was a private business hired to fix the aftermath of battles with aliens and supervillains. The MCU, however, initially presented them as a government organization with the same purpose. Over time, the scope of the Department of Damage Control’s work grew in subsequent MCU movies and TV shows.

By the time Spider-Man: No Way Home occurred, the Department of Damage Control (DODC) was responsible for both capturing people with superpowers and running the prisons where supervillains were held. However, the recent Wonder Man episode, “Pacoima,” showed the DODC is facing criticism for violating people’s rights during its operations. Adding to their problems, the government is questioning whether to continue funding them, as the supervillain prisons are largely empty. The DODC leader in Los Angeles subtly threatens his agents, warning them that they need to start capturing more dangerous superpowered individuals or risk losing their jobs.

P. Cleary (Arian Moayed) is positioned as the main villain in Wonder Man. He hires Trevor Slattery to keep tabs on Simon Williams, even though he has very little proof that Williams has any superpowers, or even poses a threat. Cleary’s only evidence consists of an old report about Williams surviving a kitchen fire as a teenager, and an incident where a portable toilet exploded on a TV set where Williams once worked.

Wonder Man’s villain is a corrupt government agency

Before the ‘Wonder Man’ series, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had already shown the growing power and questionable actions of Damage Control. We saw them investigating Spider-Man in ‘No Way Home’ and acting as villains in ‘Ms. Marvel.’ In that series, agent Sadie Deever went too far – breaking rules and ethics – while trying to prove Kamala Khan was dangerous.

It’s interesting that Agent P. Cleary appeared in both situations. In Ms. Marvel, he seemed like a sensible leader and ultimately led to Agent Deever being dismissed. However, his issues with Deever stemmed from her difficulty following instructions and maintaining secrecy, not from any moral failings. This aligns with his character in Wonder Man, where he’s shown to be more focused on protecting his own career than on the potential danger Simon Williams presents.

Both Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe often explore issues of government corruption and excessive power. The recent release of ‘Wonder Man’ feels especially timely, as it coincided with increased public and congressional scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE was facing criticism for its agents’ actions and questions about its funding. Though the series wrapped up filming in 2024, the timing of its release makes the show’s themes feel even more relevant and impactful.

Wonder Man’s heritage is also a political hot potato

A surprising connection to real-world issues appears in the story of Simon Williams in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the third episode of Wonder Man, titled “Pacoima,” we learn that Williams’ parents immigrated from Haiti. A large portion of the episode takes place during a celebration of his mother’s birthday, showcasing a vibrant family gathering and neighborhood party that highlights their Haitian culture. The family members often speak Haitian Creole amongst themselves, even though they all also speak English fluently.

This storyline was initially created to add depth to the character of Simon Williams. Actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II collaborated with the show’s creators to develop it, partly to give Simon a distinct cultural background and also to connect with his own family history. In a 2020 interview with Men’s Health, Abdul-Mateen II shared that his grandfather immigrated to the U.S. from the West Indies.

The backstory of Wonder Man, as the son of Haitian immigrants, feels particularly relevant given recent events in the U.S. In 2024, there was a surge of negativity towards Haitians, reaching a peak when some conservative politicians falsely claimed that Haitian refugees—who had legally come to the country—were stealing and eating people’s pets.

The use of certain descriptive terms resurfaced in early 2026 when reports surfaced that ICE planned to focus on Haitian immigrant communities in Ohio. This timing is purely coincidental, considering when the ‘Wonder Man’ series was written and filmed. However, the decision to portray Simon Williams, the MCU’s Wonder Man, as the son of Haitian immigrants feels particularly resonant given these current events. This could position ‘Wonder Man’ as a culturally impactful show, similar to how ‘Andor’ was in 2022.

Wonder Man: Season 1 is now streaming in its entirety on Disney+.

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2026-01-30 21:29