Why is Wonder Man different from every other MCU Disney+ show?

Marvel Studios and Disney have quietly made a major change to their Disney+ strategy, and Wonder Man (released January 2026) is the clearest proof. From the start, fans knew the series would be different in tone, but very few expected it to go as far as it did.

Wonder Man is being described as a fully standalone story that does not mandatorily connect to any previous MCU project. As noted by Rotten Tomatoes critics, it functions more like a Hollywood industry satire than a superhero origin, making it the first Disney+ Marvel series since 2021 to completely detach itself from the franchise’s larger “Multiverse Saga” continuity.

Did Kevin Feige promise Disney+ shows would connect to the MCU?

Back in 2019, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige made the Disney+ plan very clear. He stated that the shows would be “entirely interwoven” with the films, effectively making them essential viewing for fans who wanted to understand the full picture.

For years, Marvel followed that exact blueprint: WandaVision led into Doctor Strange 2, and Ms. Marvel set up The Marvels. However, Wonder Man breaks this chain. Showrunner Andrew Guest confirmed their goal was to create a show that “required no homework,” fulfilling a new mandate to combat audience fatigue.

Is Wonder Man a true “Marvel Spotlight” project?

Wonder Man is the second series released under the Marvel Spotlight banner, following Echo. This label is musically designed for grounded, character-driven stories.

However, Wonder Man commits to the bit far more than its predecessor. While Echo still featured a cameo from Daredevil and set up Born Again in its post-credits scene, Wonder Man reportedly avoids setting up future films entirely. It exists in its own pocket of Hollywood, focusing on Simon Williams’ (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) internal struggle rather than the next Avengers threat.

How does Wonder Man compare to Moon Knight?

Moon Knight (2022) is often cited as the closest comparison because it had minimal MCU references. However, Moon Knight still felt like a Marvel blockbuster: it had big CGI gods, world-ending stakes, and traditional action beats.

Wonder Man is fundamentally different. Critics have noted it feels more like a workplace comedy or a “meta-bromance” between Simon and Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley). It reportedly features very few action sequences, trading repulsor blasts for audition tapes and industry satire.

What does this mean for the future of Marvel on Disney+?

In 2025, reports surfaced that Marvel executives felt the MCU had started to feel like “homework” for casual viewers. Wonder Man is the direct response to that criticism.

If the series succeeds, it could greenlight a new era of experimental Marvel TV—shows that can explore genres like horror, romance, or pure comedy without the burden of setting up the next Avengers: Secret Wars. For now, Wonder Man stands as a bold experiment: a Marvel show that is okay with just being a TV show.