Yahya Abdul-Mateen, perhaps, is still stung over how Marvel — despite ordering season two — abruptly axed Wonder Man — a shock to the series cast, crew, and fans.
In his new interview, he spoke with Vanity Fair about the stunning cancellation of his Disney+ series.
The franchise, Abdul-Mateen shared, told him viewership numbers reportedly played a part in Wonder Man’s demise.
However, the actor pushed back.
“I was told that it had something to do with the viewership numbers,” he said.
But the star claimed he was never given the real figures.
“I wasn’t told what those numbers were, but ultimately, for whatever reason it was, I think they decided that it didn’t make sense for business, and that’s the decision that we live with and we keep on marching forward.”
Moving beyond the ratings, the question of race entered the conversation.
Two Black-led superhero projects, Wonder Man and Blade, failed to fly at Marvel fully.
“I think the optics are obvious. If I’m a big business, if I’m Disney, if I’m Marvel, I don’t want to be attached to these optics,” he said.
“If I’m a big business, if I’m Disney, if I’m Marvel, I don’t want to be attached to these optics,” Abdul-Mateen said without mincing his words.
He argued the cancellations of those projects and public reaction overall should be a reason for concern for Marvel and its parent company, Disney.
“It should be a priority to change that narrative and to do what it takes to responsibly change that narrative with quality stories, with quality resources,” he continued.
Abdul-Mateen’s scathing question comes as Marvel moves forward with a new phase and the much-awaited tentpole Avengers: Doomsday.
