Who Is Playing the Grim Reaper in Marvel’s Wonder Man and What Does It Mean for the MCU?

How Did Marvel Finally Confirm Demetrius Grosse as the Grim Reaper?

For months, reports suggested that Demetrius Grosse had been cast as Eric Williams, the brother of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Simon Williams, in Marvel’s Wonder Man. However, Marvel and Disney had avoided making any official announcement. That silence ended with the Winter 2025 issue of Disney’s D23 Magazine.

The magazine, obtained by The Direct, provides the first fully confirmed details from Marvel Studios. Brian Gay, Marvel’s Director of Production and Development, directly identifies Grosse as Eric Williams and outlines how the series will explore the Williams family. His comments reveal that the show will begin by grounding Eric in a realistic, emotionally rooted role before moving toward the character’s iconic comic future.

How Will Wonder Man Explore the Williams Family Dynamic?

Brian Gay explained that Wonder Man will devote a special episode to Simon’s return to his childhood home in Pacoima. In this episode, viewers will meet Simon’s mother, Martha, his older brother Eric, and several members of the extended Williams family. Gay stated that these relationships are critical to understanding who Simon becomes as both a person and a hero.

Star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II echoed this idea, emphasizing in an interview with Empire Magazine that Simon’s path to fame and heroism requires a careful exploration of his past. This approach puts emotional storytelling at the core of Wonder Man, rather than beginning with instant superhero spectacle.

How Is the MCU Changing Eric Williams Before His Grim Reaper Transformation?

In the comics, Eric becomes the Grim Reaper, a villain motivated by bitterness, jealousy, and grief over his brother’s fate. In Wonder Man, Eric will begin the story as a grounded, responsible figure working in insurance. Gay describes him as the stable one, compared to Simon, who chose an unpredictable life in the arts.

This setup creates a natural dramatic contrast between the brothers. It also sets the stage for a future transformation driven by tension, resentment, or unresolved family wounds. The shift from stability to supervillainy mirrors the trajectory of Eric Williams in the original comics.

What Role Could the Grim Reaper Play in the MCU’s Future?

The confirmation of Eric Williams in Wonder Man signals a major addition to the MCU’s long-term storytelling. The Grim Reaper is not a minor antagonist in the comics. He is one of the Avengers’ most enduring enemies and a crucial part of Vision’s mythology.

In comic lore, Eric blames the Avengers for Simon’s death and lashes out after Vision is created using Simon’s brain patterns. Eric believes Vision stole his brother’s soul, forming a tragic rivalry between the two characters.

With VisionQuest arriving in 2026, Marvel is clearly setting up the complex triangle between Wonder Man, Vision, and the Grim Reaper. This connection has the potential to shape several future storylines and introduce a darker, emotionally driven conflict into the MCU’s expanding Disney Plus lineup.