Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is jumping to Marvel from DC.
The actor has landed the lead role in Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series Wonder Man as Simon Williams, who transforms into the titular superhero, ScreenGeek and Variety reported Monday.
The Wonder Man character first appeared in the Marvel comic books in 1964 and was originally a supervillain with “ionic” energy before being reborn as a superhero (and Avenger).
The character in the comics was white and Abdul-Mateen’s casting will bring diversity to the story.
Related Story: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Stars Hit the Red Carpet for Marvel Film’s Premiere (Photos)
Born in New Orleans, Abdul-Mateen’s family moved to Oakland, California where he grew up. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University.
Abdul-Mateen, 36, has played Black Manta in the DC Extended Universe Aquaman films alongside Jason Momoa.
He also appeared in Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix musical drama series The Get Down and as Cal Abar in HBO’s Watchmen, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series.
His film credits include Baywatch (2017), The Greatest Showman (2017), Us (2019), The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), Candyman (2021), The Matrix Resurrections (2021), and Ambulance (2022).
Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed the 2021 Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is developing Wonder Man with head writer Andrew Guest, per Variety
Marvel Studios will announce a premiere date for Wonder Man soon.
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