Frozen’s Josh Gad and The Sopranos actor Joe Pantoliano both make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debuts on the new live-action Disney+ series Wonder Man.
The two veteran actors are part of an off-kilter version of Hollywood that exists within the MCU, where superpowered individuals have been banned from the entertainment industry due to an edict called the “Doorman Clause.”
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — who has previous comic book cred for playing DC Universe villain Black Manta in the Aquaman movies — leads the series as Simon Williams, a down-on-his-luck actor who is desperate to keep his superpowers under wraps while trying to land a role in the remake of fictional action blockbuster Wonder Man.
The latest Marvel series differs from most MCU content because it’s more of an action-comedy than a traditional superhero origin story. The Wonder Man concept was adapted from a 1960s comic book character of the same name by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest, who have both previously worked for Marvel Studios on Hawkeye and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, respectively.
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Keep scrolling for more information on Wonder Man as well as Gad and Pantoliano’s roles.
What Is ‘Wonder Man’ About?
The 2026 Wonder Man series is based on the classic Marvel Comics character Wonder Man/Simon Williams, who was created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. Simon was introduced into Marvel Comics continuity as a villain and foe of The Avengers in October 1964.
Simon later became a superhero — including joining heroic teams The Avengers and The Defenders — and parlayed his newfound notoriety into a side career as a Hollywood action star. Prior to the Disney+ series, Simon Williams was supposed to be played by Nathan Fillion in 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but his cameo was ultimately scrapped.
DC Universe veteran Yahya Abdul-Mateen II makes his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the Disney+ Wonder Man series as a slightly different version of Simon Williams. In creators Andrew Guest (Hawkeye) and Destin Daniel Cretton’s (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) Disney+ series, Simon is an actor auditioning for the lead role in an in-universe remake of a Wonder Man movie.
Sir Ben Kingsley and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in January 2026. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for DisneyDepartment of Damage Control (DODC) Agent P. Cleary (Succession’s Arian Moayed) suspects that Simon may be a significant threat to the U.S. because he is secretly harboring superpowers of his own. Therefore, Agent Cleary hires disgraced actor Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) to pose as Simon’s potential costar in the Wonder Man movie and report back on his activities. (MCU fans will remember that Trevor Slattery previously posed as a fake version of crime boss The Mandarin in Iron Man 3 and barely escaped with his life when he was abducted by the real Mandarin in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.)
Who Do Josh Gad and Joe Pantoliano Play on ‘Wonder Man’?
Josh Gad plays a fictionalized version of himself in Wonder Man as part of the origin of the Marvel superhero DeMarr Davis/Doorman (Byron Bowers). Wonder Man episode 4, “Doorman,” is devoted entirely to Doorman’s backstory and his connection to Gad.
DeMarr starts off as a doorman at a nightclub frequented by Gad and ends up gaining transdimensional superpowers when he touches toxic waste from the sinister Roxxon Energy Corporation. DeMarr is given the nickname “Doorman” because he can travel to an alternate dimension filled with doorways to different realities.
Gad uses DeMarr’s superpower to his advantage by casting him in the fictional action comedy Cash Grab. However, the sudden fame goes to DeMarr’s head and he develops a serious drinking problem.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Byron Bowers in January 2026. Charley Gallay/Getty Images for DisneyThe Frozen actor tries to revive his costar’s fading career by casting him again in Cash Grab 2. Unfortunately, DeMarr shows up to set drunk, and when Gad tries to showcase his costar’s powers by phasing through him, he ends up getting stuck in one of the alternate dimensions Doorman can access.
This incident facilitates the creation of Hollywood’s “Doorman Clause,” a regulation that bans superpowered individuals from the entertainment industry.
Luckily, all hope is not lost for Gad in the MCU. Wonder Man cocreator and showrunner Andrew Guest confirmed to Dexerto in January 2026 that “Josh Gad is alive and inside Doorman currently” within the MCU.
“If we get a season 2, my promise is to get Josh Gad out of Doorman, and back into the world,” the writer vowed.
Guest then teased, “It has occurred to me that maybe Josh Gad would have Doorman powers, after having been inside him for so long. Maybe Josh Gad becomes the new Doorman!”
Meanwhile, Simon (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is busy trying to keep his superpowers hidden while auditioning for a lead role in the fictional Wonder Man movie. His costar Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) eventually develops real affection for Simon and feels bad for betraying his newfound friend’s trust.
When Simon accidentally causes an explosion on the film set, Slattery offers to revive his fake persona as The Mandarin to take the blame. Slattery is arrested by the DODC and sent to prison.
Slatter’s archenemy, The Sopranos actor Joe Pantoliano, is subsequently brought in to play Simon’s new sidekick in the Wonder Man movie, replacing the now-imprisoned Trevor.
What Have Josh Gad and Joe Pantoliano Said About Their ‘Wonder Man’ Roles?
Josh Gad poked fun at the preparation that went into playing a fictional version of himself on Wonder Man.
“The pitch was: We want to introduce Josh Gad into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” he revealed in the official press notes for the series. “I was hoping to play a superhero, but I play the next best thing, which is myself. I’m very Method, and so getting into Josh Gad’s mind was something that took a little time, but the more I got to know him and live with his wife and kids, the more comfortable I felt with the idea of bringing this character to life.”
Gad also delighted in getting a chance to sing an EDM remix of Frozen’s “In Summer” in Wonder Man — making him the first actor to perform a Disney classic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“I thought they would ask Pocahontas to do it first, so frankly I was glad to get the call and beat her to the punch,” he teased.
'Wonder Man' Crew Member Who Died on Set of Marvel Series Identified
Per Entertainment Weekly, Joe Pantoliano revealed his casting in Wonder Man during a Matrix reunion panel at New York Comic Con in October 2025 but didn’t reveal that he was playing himself at the time. He did confirm that costar Ben Kingsley never called him by his famous “Joey Pants” nickname on set.
“No, never, he never did. He called me ‘Lord Trousers,’” Pantoliano joked. “I can’t be Joey. I’m 74, so it’s ‘Joseph Trousers.’”
How Can You Watch ‘Wonder Man’?
Wonder Man is available exclusively on Disney+. The show is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Phase Six,” which will also include July 2026’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, December 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and December 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
The series was released under the “Marvel Spotlight” banner, joining 2024’s Echo.
When Are New Episodes of ‘Wonder Man’ Released?
All eight episodes were released on January 27, 2026, and are now available to stream on Disney+.
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