‘Wonder Man’ Co-Creator Destin Daniel Cretton Doesn’t “Fully Understand” Why Show Was Canceled: “I’m Heartbroken”
Destin Daniel Cretton, co-creator of Marvel's "Wonder Man" series, says he does not "fully understand" why Disney and Marvel cancelled the Disney+ show, just months after it had been renewed for a second season. The cancellation is notable because it came only a day before the release of Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day and follows Marvel and Disney reversing an earlier decision to continue the series, leaving its cast and creative team blindsided despite contracts having already been signed.
Cretton told The Wrap he believes Marvel boss Kevin Feige also wanted the show to continue, but that streaming business considerations, which he says he doesn't fully grasp, were behind the decision. Co-creator and showrunner Andrew Guest denied fan speculation that the cancellation was to clear the way for a film adaptation or a marketing stunt, stating it was an internal decision by Disney and Marvel, and that writers' room work and production had already been scheduled to begin. "Wonder Man", starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Sir Ben Kingsley, debuted in January and earned Abdul-Mateen an Emmy nomination; the series was renewed in March before being cancelled last week.
- Marvel cancelled "Wonder Man" despite renewing it for season two in March
- Co-creator Cretton says he doesn't understand the cancellation, is "heartbroken"
- Showrunner denies it's a marketing stunt or paving way for a film
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Marvel's "Wonder Man" is a superhero series made for Disney+, developed by film-maker Destin Daniel Cretton alongside showrunner Andrew Guest. It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the title role, with Sir Ben Kingsley also in the cast, and it launched earlier this year to strong reviews, including an Emmy nomination for Abdul-Mateen.
The show is part of the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, the shared line of films and television series produced by Marvel Studios under the Walt Disney Company, overseen by studio boss Kevin Feige. Disney+ is Disney's streaming service, and decisions about which shows continue or end there are typically driven by internal business considerations rather than public creative input.
Wonder Man had been renewed for a second season in March, with cast and crew already under contract and preparation under way, before Disney and Marvel reversed that decision and cancelled the show. This is significant because renewals being reversed after contracts are signed is unusual in the industry, and it has raised questions among fans and those involved in the production about the reasoning behind the decision.