The call came late. A Marvel producer, a hushed voice, a proposition that felt too strange to be real: “We want you to play *yourself*.” For actors Joe Pantoliano and Josh Gad, that’s exactly how they each wound up in the orbit of Marvel’s new series, Wonder Man, but the behind-the-scenes story of how these cameos materialized is a study in Hollywood serendipity.
The new series, now streaming, gives viewers a peek behind the curtain of movie-making. As Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Trevor Slattery (Sir Ben Kingsley) try to make it in the industry while the Avengers handle cosmic threats, some familiar faces pop up.
Those actors are Joe Pantoliano, known for The Matrix, Bad Boys, The Sopranos; plus Josh Gad, of Frozen, Jobs, and the coming Spaceballs 2.
In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Wonder Man filmmakers Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest talked about how and why each actor joined the project.
A heads-up: there are a few minor plot points revealed, so read on with caution.
Josh Gad: Playing a Darker Version of Himself
Think about the last time you saw a celebrity skewering their own image. It’s a rare and often awkward spectacle. In the fourth episode, Gad portrays a warped reflection of himself, a star who takes a superpowered “doorman,” DeMarr Davis, under his wing, with unfortunate results for both.
Guest told EW, “There was always a celebrity character cameo for DeMarr to be paired with in that episode, but Josh was the first person we asked. And once he said yes, we got to write it specifically to him. And he just jumped in with both feet. He was so much fun to work with on set.”
Cretton said, “Obviously, he’s so funny and is a bit of a Disney icon. To be able to take somebody like that, who is known for being so charming and wonderfully sweet and supportive, and have him play a bit of an alter ego—in a lot of ways, he’s kind of playing the devil in this episode. He’s taking somebody who was very happy with his life, who was very content with where he was, and he planted this seed of power, like, ‘You’re better than this.’ He planted this seed that creates a bit of a monster that ends up in a very tragic place. But because it’s Josh Gad, it’s really funny and really fun to watch.”
How did Josh Gad get his start?
Before voicing Olaf or charming audiences in live-action roles, Gad honed his skills on stage. His early career included Broadway productions like “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” showcasing his comedic timing and versatility, a range that clearly caught the attention of Marvel casting directors.
Joe Pantoliano: Tapping Into Hollywood Wisdom
Ever meet someone with endless stories? Pantoliano, appearing in several episodes, embodies this as one of Trevor’s rivals. The filmmakers approached him in a way similar to Gad.
“We had a list of character actors who are some of the best actors out there who maybe are not household names, but there was such a love from every person at Marvel of so many of these people who’ve meant so much to so many of us,” Guest said. “And Joey just stood out amongst the crop and was the first person we put a call into.”
Once “Joey Pants” signed on, the role was molded around him. “The wonderful thing about him is he’s got so much to say about [acting and Hollywood],” Guest said. “He’s written several books. He’ll talk your ear off about acting and about his thoughts about why he got into the business and where his love of the craft comes from. And we put all of that in the script, and it’s really incredible.” For the *Wonder Man* team, Pantoliano’s casting wasn’t just a cameo; it was like striking narrative gold, mining his real-world experiences to enrich the fictional world.
What is Joe Pantoliano doing now?
Pantoliano remains active in film and television, but he’s also focused on his mental health advocacy work. Having spoken openly about his own struggles, he uses his platform to reduce stigma and promote dialogue around mental health issues.
See Pantoliano and Gad in all their MCU glory in Wonder Man, which is now on Disney+.
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The cameos in Wonder Man aren’t just fun winks to the audience; they’re a comment on the nature of celebrity itself. Has the MCU cracked the code for using famous faces in ways that actually add depth, or are these simply fleeting moments of distraction?