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Spider-Man: Brand New Day director "heartbroken" at Wonder Man’s cancellation as Spidey crosses $1 billion at box office
"I don’t fully understand."
Marvel
- Louise Griffin
Published: Thursday, 6 August 2026 at 10:12 am
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With his new film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, breaking box office records, director Destin Daniel Cretton is seeking answers on his cancelled Marvel series, Wonder Man.
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The acclaimed comedy series, starring Yahya Abdul-Mahteen II as failing actor Simon Williams, was recently cancelled despite previously receiving a season 2 renewal.
In the midst of Brand New Day crossing the $1 billion mark at the box office, Cretton told TheWrap: "I love that show to death. If it were up to me, we would be making that show. And I do believe that if – and I know this sounds weird – but if it were up to Kevin [Feige], we would be doing that show."
He added: "And I’m just talking, I don’t fully understand the business of streaming, but if the business was right, we would be making that show because I know [Feige] loves that show as much as I do. It’s a bummer. I’m heartbroken about it. But I need to fully understand the why."
While some fans have speculated that the cancellation was to make way for a movie, Cretton's co-creator Andrew Guest has insisted that's not the case, saying "there's no movie in the works".
The cancellation was disappointing for fans and for stars of the show, with Abdul-Mateen, who has been nominated for an Emmy for his performance, thanking the fans after the news.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars in Wonder Man. Marvel Television
"I wanted to say thank you to everybody who WATCHED the show, ENJOYED the show, and SHARED that they enjoyed the show in some way or other. The show worked. And that’s my favourite thing about it," he said.
"I could see it on the faces of the Youtube Reactors (because I watched along with y’all this time. Shoutout to y’all) and I can see in the messages I get saying how the show reminded some of you not to give up, and I feel it in the genuine love shared when I bump into some of you all during the day. So, thinking of you all today. I’m glad we got to be a part of something cool."
Watch trailer
The official synopsis described the series as a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry: "Aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams (Abdul-Mateen) is struggling to get his career off the ground.
"During a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery (Kingsley), an actor whose biggest roles may be well behind him, Simon learns legendary director Von Kovak (Buric) is remaking the superhero film 'Wonder Man.' These two actors at opposite ends of their careers doggedly pursue life-changing roles in this film as audiences get a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry".
Of course, even if a movie version isn't in the works, there's always the chance for the characters to appear in future MCU projects.
Wonder Man is available to watch on Disney+. You can sign up to Disney+ from £4.99 a month.
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Authors
Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
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