Back in 2013, when the legendary Sir Ben Kingsley was cast as the antagonist in Iron Man 3, few could have anticipated the journey ahead. Kingsley wasn’t simply portraying the infamous Marvel villain, the Mandarin; instead, he took on the role of Trevor Slattery, a faded actor masquerading as the formidable character. This twist led to a remarkable continuation of Trevor’s story, with Kingsley returning for the 2014 short film All Hail the King and making a comeback in 2021 with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Yet, Trevor Slattery’s saga is far from over.
Kingsley and his character are set to reappear in the upcoming Disney+ series Wonder Man, which will launch on January 27, 2026. The show follows Trevor and another actor, Simon Williams—played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II—as they vie for leading roles in a new superhero flick titled “Wonder Man.” This role presents Kingsley with a unique opportunity to explore Trevor’s multifaceted personality, and he’s still processing this exciting development.
“During Shang-Chi, [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige and [director] Destin [Daniel Cretton] suggested the idea of Trevor returning for a TV series,” Kingsley recalled in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “Even though we didn’t know the title at that point, I was thrilled. I adore revisiting Trevor—there are so many layers to him. This new series actually portrays Trevor before and after he became the Mandarin, almost serving as a biopic of his life across four episodes.”
It’s intriguing to think about seeing Trevor’s transformation: how he evolves before assuming the role that changed everything for him, and the lasting impact it has afterward, especially alongside Simon Williams—who, unlike Trevor, actually has superpowers.
“Trevor sees Simon not just as a friend and colleague, but also as someone he can manipulate to achieve his own goals,” Kingsley explained. “It’s a classic human tale. You feel a connection with someone, yet there’s a part of you that knows you might need to exploit that connection to reach where you want to go.”
What can fans expect from the ‘Wonder Man’ series?
Expect a mix of humor, dramatic moments, and, of course, the unique charm of Trevor Slattery! Alongside Simon, the series promises to showcase their misadventures and the struggles of aspiring actors in a superhero-obsessed world.
How does Kingsley feel about returning to the Marvel universe?
Ben Kingsley is both excited and somewhat in disbelief about reprising his role. He enjoys the depth of Trevor and is eager to explore his character’s evolution in Wonder Man.
Will there be more Marvel projects featuring Trevor Slattery in the future?
While it’s uncertain, Kingsley’s enthusiastic response to revisiting Trevor hints at the character’s potential for future appearances within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The anticipation for Wonder Man continues to grow as fans eagerly await the latest addition to the Marvel lineup. With captivating characters and riveting storylines set to unfold, this series could redefine our understanding of Trevor Slattery. What are your thoughts about Sir Ben Kingsley’s return? Feel free to share your excitement below!