Followers have been ready for extra footage from the Disney+ present “Surprise Man” for fairly some time, with information of the considerably difficult superhero getting his personal collection (starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams/Surprise Man) all the way in which again in 2022. That footage is lastly right here (see under), and whereas it is solely a minute lengthy, it does give us an fascinating little style of what “Surprise Man” would possibly really be about.
“Have you ever given any considered casting?” #WonderMan pic.twitter.com/UCOUb04c0Y
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) October 10, 2025
The Surprise Man character has gone by way of all types of modifications all through his Marvel Comics historical past. He began because the nepo child of an arms seller, however has extra lately been a super-powered actor and stuntman. He is an excellent lesser-known superhero than the leads for Marvel Cinematic Universe collection like “Moon Knight” and “Ms. Marvel,” although that additionally provides “Surprise Man” the chance to get artistic and daring with its storytelling.
It seems that’s precisely what the present is doing. Actually, “Surprise Man” seems to be Marvel’s response to reveals like “Peacemaker” and “The Boys,” offering a meta-commentary on superhero media, though I doubt it’ll be fairly as crucial as both of these reveals (given that is nonetheless the MCU). Within the footage for “Surprise Man,” nonetheless, we see the director of a brand new “Surprise Man” film, Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić — sure, the evil Boravian President, Vasil Ghurkos, from James Gunn’s “Superman”), speaking about reboot the franchise and addressing the most typical criticism of superhero tales instantly: “Why yet another superhero movie?” It additionally reveals Williams watching Kovak’s interview as he is requested about casting, and we see that the unique Surprise Man was white. If Marvel goes to have a present that addresses not solely superhero fatigue but additionally doubtlessly fan reactions to a Black actor taking part in a traditionally white position, it may very well be one thing significant.
The MCU may use just a little dressing down from Surprise Man
There nonetheless aren’t a ton of particulars about “Surprise Man,” nevertheless it looks as if it’ll go heavy on the meta-commentary on the moviemaking trade and Hollywood particularly on the subject of superhero media. That might present the MCU with an opportunity to deal with a few of its points and have just a little enjoyable at its personal expense, which guidelines. This might additionally assist audiences really feel much less alienated by the large company machine that’s the MCU, reminding us there are human creatives behind the scenes with precise opinions to share. Just a little self-reflection can go a great distance, and having a humorousness about it positively helps. That is evident within the clip, which not solely contains Kovak speaking about his love of the Surprise Man franchise with some superb tokusatsu/classic “Star Trek”-style footage of the “unique” Surprise Man combating some baddies, but additionally has a fast shot of a clapperboard on a movie set with the title “Money Seize 2.” If that is a touch of this present’s strategy to satire, depend me in. (Die-hard followers might do not forget that Nathan Fillion was initially going to play Surprise Man in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” however these sadly hit the slicing room flooring.)
Abdul-Mateen II is an outstanding actor who can completely nail the tone wanted right here, and it’ll lastly give him an opportunity to do extra within the superhero sphere since he did not get fairly sufficient to do as Black Manta within the DC Prolonged Universe. Ben Kingsley can even return as Trevor Slattery (aka the actor who pretended to be the Mandarin in “Iron Man 3”), which is a scrumptious alternative. Truthfully, “Surprise Man” seems prefer it may very well be lots of enjoyable, and that is coming from somebody with severe superhero fatigue.
“Surprise Man” hits Disney+ in January 2026.
