Marvel’s WONDER MAN Clip Sparks Theories About a Possible THUNDERBOLTS* Connection
The first clip from Marvel Studios’ upcoming Disney+ series Wonder Man has been released and and some fans are convinced it’s tying into the events of Thunderbolts* in a pretty unexpected way.
The brief sneak peek has sparked a wave of theories online, especially after a few very specific lines of dialogue sent MCU watchers down a familiar rabbit hole.
Marvel Studios has taken plenty of heat lately for how it promotes its Disney+ shows. Last year’s Ironheart barely made a ripple, and it’s become routine for trailers to drop only weeks before a premiere, followed by minimal updates.
That hasn’t been the case with Wonder Man. The studio is clearly treating this one differently, and the release of an early clip has fans paying close attention.
The scene shows Simon Williams auditioning for a reboot of the in-universe superhero movie “Wonder Man.” During the read, Simon delivers a surprisingly heavy monologue where the character talks about falling into a “dark and treacherous place.” He goes on to say he’s been to “The Void” and knows what it’s like to “live in that screaming silence.”
Those words immediately rang alarm bells for fans who still remember how Thunderbolts wrapped up in 2024. That film ended with The Sentry losing control and unleashing his darker half, trapping large chunks of New York City inside The Void and forcing civilians to relive their worst memories.
The theory making the rounds is simple and intriguing. What if the Wonder Man movie within the show is indirectly referencing that event? Or more provocatively, what if Simon himself experienced it?
After watching the clip, it doesn’t feel like the dialogue is meant to be taken completely at face value. There’s a more grounded explanation floating around, backed up by a script page Marvel Studios shared.
In it, Simon swaps out the word “hell” for “The Void” during his audition. That small change is what’s fueling speculation that Simon may have been in New York during The Sentry’s attack, possibly setting the stage for how he eventually gains his powers.
Wonder Man was created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest. The series stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams and Ben Kingsley, who returns as Trevor Slattery after appearances in Iron Man 3, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and All Hail the King. The cast also includes Arian Moayed, X Mayo, Zlatko Burić, Olivia Thirlby, and Byron Bowers.
The story centers on Simon, an aspiring actor struggling to get his career moving. A chance encounter with Trevor Slattery, an actor whose glory days are long behind him, changes everything when they learn legendary director Von Kovak is remaking the superhero film “Wonder Man.”
The two performers, stuck at very different points in their lives, chase roles that could redefine their futures, all while the series pulls back the curtain on the entertainment industry itself.
Whether or not Wonder Man ends up weaving directly into Thunderbolts, the early footage suggests this isn’t just another straightforward MCU origin story. We won’t know how deep Marvel Studios plans to go until the full series drops.
All eight episodes of Wonder Man will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning January 27 at 6pm PT.