DCEU Star Reveals Why He Jumped Ship to Marvel

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I’ve been following Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s career, and it’s fascinating to hear why he made the move from DC to Marvel. He’s one of the rare actors who’s really been a part of both universes! He was incredible as Black Manta in the Aquaman movies, and now he’s diving into the MCU as Simon Williams in Wonder Man. He recently shared that it all came down to a really simple reason for him to make the switch, which I find so interesting!

Throughout interviews for his movie Wonder Man, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II repeatedly addressed his involvement in both the DC and Marvel universes. He consistently explained that his decision to join Marvel largely depended on how his character would be written and depicted.

During a panel at New York Comic-Con (as reported by Brandon Davis on YouTube), the actor known for his roles in Wonder Man and Aquaman shared the story of his very first conversation about potentially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Abdul-Mateen II shared that he spoke with Wonder Man director Destin Daniel Cretton a few years ago and told him he wanted a role where he could simply enjoy eating a hamburger on screen.

I first met Destin Daniel Cretton, who I think is fantastic. I’d been a fan of his work since seeing ‘Short Term 12’, and I really wanted to work with him. We talked a few years ago, and I told him, quite simply, that I wanted to play a character who could enjoy a hamburger. That was my pitch!

The actor explained that he had taken his role in the DC Universe very seriously. He then wanted a character who could experience a wider range of emotions – living, mourning, and finding joy – which ultimately led him to accept the role of Simon Williams in the Marvel Universe.

I really enjoyed my time working on DC projects, but I was ready for a change. I wanted to explore roles that allowed me to show more vulnerability and a wider range of emotions – to really live through the character. That’s what drew me to Destin and ultimately led me to join the Marvel universe. I’m really excited about this new opportunity.

In a recent interview with Electric Playground Network (posted on YouTube), Abdul-Mateen II reiterated his comments from Comic-Con, specifically mentioning his desire to play a character who could simply eat or drink – something his previous roles hadn’t allowed.

The actor explained that requesting simple things like water or a burger while filming was his attempt to inject genuine emotion and relatable qualities into his performance – something Wonder Man ultimately delivered.

When I first considered this role, my main thought was, ‘Let’s make sure this character feels human.’ I specifically asked if he could even have a simple moment, like taking a drink of water. That small detail was what really made the character stand out to me and showed his humanity.

In a recent interview with Take a Look: Celebrity Interviews & Movie Reviews on YouTube, the actor known for roles in both Marvel and DC films discussed the complex character of Simon Williams. He explained how playing Wonder Man felt different from his experience as Aquaman, highlighting Williams’ uniquely human qualities.

During the interview, I was really struck by what the actor said about Simon Williams in Wonder Man. He talked about how Simon has these incredible powers, but it’s not just about the powers themselves – it’s about how they impact his life. What I found particularly interesting was his approach to the role. He loved that he could portray a superhero without making it all about flashy, supernatural effects. He was able to find the humanity in the character and really focus on that, which is what made it so compelling to watch, in his opinion.

As a fan, I loved hearing Abdul-Mateen II talk about Wonder Man. He said he really had the best of both worlds with the project – it’s a huge Marvel thing, which is awesome, but he also felt like they were able to keep it feeling real and relatable. It sounds like a really cool balance!

I approached his extraordinary abilities as if they were a deeply personal and embarrassing secret, which felt very human. I didn’t need to portray it as something magical or otherworldly. I found a relatable, human core to the character and focused on that. It was a fantastic experience – I got the scope of a big project like a Marvel film, but with a unique and realistic approach. I was able to balance the grand scale with something that felt very down-to-earth.

Is Wonder Man the Start of a New Era For the MCU?

Unlike previous Marvel Cinematic Universe releases, Wonder Man is prioritizing character development over typical superhero action. As Yahya Abdul-Mateen II explained, the Disney+ series will largely focus on the journey of Simon Williams as a character.

Notably, Wonder Man is the first Marvel show on Disney+ that isn’t directly connected to a previous movie or series as a sequel or prequel. While the show does include the character Trevor Slattery, played by Ben Kingsley, it tells a standalone story and doesn’t build on existing plotlines or lead into future projects.

Wonder Man stands out from other Marvel Cinematic Universe projects by focusing on its main character’s personal struggles in a remarkably human way. It trades grand spectacle and idealized heroism for a more intimate and grounded story.

Because audiences are already enjoying Wonder Man, it’s likely that Marvel could make more shows and movies with a similar style and vibe.

Honestly, I think this show might be a real turning point for the MCU. It could be the start of something totally new, and we might not even realize it’s happening right now! It feels like a fresh era is beginning, and it’s all thanks to this series.

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2026-02-14 06:36