Ben Kingsley never imagined that his character, Trevor Slattery, would not only survive but also eventually lead his own series in the Marvel universe. The Academy Award-winning actor first stepped into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the 2013 film "Iron Man 3," portraying Trevor, a down-and-out actor who pretends to be the infamous terrorist known as the Mandarin. Kingsley reprised this quirky role in the 2014 Marvel One-Shot titled "All Hail the King" and again in the 2021 blockbuster "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." Now, he is set to take center stage once more in the new Marvel Television series "Wonder Man," which debuted on Disney+ on January 27.
Kingsley expresses his surprise at the journey of Trevor Slattery, stating, "There are not many beloved characters one can have an opportunity of revisiting so many times. Trevor Slattery now has his own franchise, which is very bizarre! I don’t think he would have ever believed that as a struggling actor on stage in Liverpool!" Created by Andrew Guest and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, "Wonder Man" follows Trevor as he returns to Hollywood and forms an unexpected friendship with Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is another aspiring actor. Together, they bond over their passion for acting while both strive for significant roles in a remake of the 1980s film "Wonder Man."
At the heart of the show lies the unique dynamic between Simon and Trevor, who find themselves at vastly different stages in their careers. While Simon is eager to achieve his breakout moment, Trevor reflects on whether his best days are behind him. Kingsley points out that there is a genuine warmth in their friendship, which he believes has always been an inherent part of Trevor's character. He states, "Trevor is, at his heart, a kind person. In the biblical sense, he has fallen amongst thieves, but he has made an attempt to restore himself and also made a concerted effort to be the actor his mother always dreamed he would become. There is a lasting bond between Trevor and his late mother, and it is that ambition that drives him to justify himself in her eyes, even though she may be in heaven."
This deep-seated ambition is what connects Trevor to Simon, who is also navigating the struggles of being a young actor. Kingsley elaborates, "That kindness and that sincere dedication to his craft makes him an ideal mentor to an actor of another generation who is struggling to be seen and heard, as Simon Williams is struggling to be seen and heard. Instead of bringing the accusatory nature of envy or the dismissive attitude, [Simon] brings something very kind. Trevor does openly and willingly volunteer to advise, guide, and help Simon. I think this is a very attractive quality, and I think that has a lot to do with the genuine relationship between those two characters. One has something to say, and the other is eager to listen."
Interestingly, their on-screen chemistry mirrored their off-screen interactions as well. Abdul-Mateen II recalls preparing for a key scene where he found himself overanalyzing his performance. Kingsley offered him guidance akin to what Trevor would say to Simon: just relax and allow the words to flow naturally. Abdul-Mateen II remarked, "The funny thing is that the lines blurred sometimes like that, where we would fall into our characters in a mentor-mentee type of way."
For Kingsley, witnessing Trevor's transformation from a fake terrorist to a heartfelt acting mentor has been a delightful surprise—one he certainly did not foresee when he first auditioned for "Iron Man 3." He candidly admits that he knew very little about the Marvel universe at that time, but immediately felt welcomed, recalling the warm reception he received from actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, along with writer Drew Pearce and director Shane Black. "My first impressions of Marvel are very fond and respectful, and that has absolutely continued over the years," he shares. "My experiences are that it is a company that cares greatly about storytelling and truly values its actors and creative teams."
With a chuckle, he adds, "I sound like I’m auditioning. But it’s a great place for actors to work. Here ends my love letter to Marvel, but it’s from the heart!"
However, despite his previous experience with Marvel films and short features, the eight-episode series of "Wonder Man" presented a whole new set of challenges for Kingsley. He confesses, "A day of television is three times the workload of a day on a film. Honestly, it’s very hard work. Sorry, boys and girls, to upset you! I know it looks like a joy. And it is a joy, but guess what: Hard work can be joyful." This statement rings true for anyone familiar with the demanding world of acting.
Fans can catch "Wonder Man" now streaming on Disney+ from January 27, 2026.
