Entertainment
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Calls Out Marvel After Wonder Man Cancellation and Blade Troubles
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is speaking candidly about Marvel Studios following the cancellation of Wonder Man and the continued struggles surrounding Blade, saying the “optics are obvious” when looking at the fate of two of the MCU’s most prominent Black-led projects.
The actor starred as Simon Williams in Marvel Television’s Wonder Man, which debuted on Disney+ in January. Despite earning strong reviews and an Emmy nomination for Abdul-Mateen’s performance, the series was canceled after one season in July. The decision was particularly surprising after Marvel had previously moved forward with plans for a second season.
Speaking with Vanity Fair, Abdul-Mateen said he was told the decision ultimately came down to viewership, although he was never given specific numbers.
“I was told that it had something to do with the viewership numbers,” Abdul-Mateen said. “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.”
Mahershala Ali Blade Concept
However, the actor also addressed the larger conversation surrounding Marvel’s recent decisions. Along with Wonder Man, Marvel’s long-gestating Blade reboot starring Mahershala Ali has faced years of development problems and has failed to move forward as originally planned.
For Abdul-Mateen, having two major Black-led Marvel projects run into significant roadblocks creates a perception that Disney and Marvel should take seriously.
“I think the optics are obvious,”
Abdul-Mateen 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.”
Rather than simply criticizing the studio, Abdul-Mateen argued that Marvel has an opportunity to change that narrative by continuing to invest in quality stories and giving those projects the resources necessary to succeed.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man [Marvel Studios]
He also defended Wonder Man, pointing to the positive response from viewers and awards voters as evidence that the series delivered creatively. Abdul-Mateen believes the circumstances surrounding its cancellation deserve a closer examination, particularly considering Marvel had already committed to moving forward with another season.
The cancellation came after Wonder Man emerged as one of Marvel’s better-received recent television projects. The eight-episode series paired Abdul-Mateen’s Simon Williams with Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery and took a more comedic, Hollywood-focused approach to the MCU than many of Marvel’s previous Disney+ shows.
While the business realities behind Wonder Man may ultimately have centered on audience numbers and production costs, Abdul-Mateen’s comments highlight a larger challenge for Marvel as it continues reshaping its film and television slate.
With Wonder Man finished and Blade unable to escape development uncertainty, Marvel now faces questions not only about which characters and franchises it chooses to prioritize, but also about what those decisions communicate to audiences.
RJ Mitte, the actor best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34.
Mitte died Monday in Brownsville, Texas. His representatives confirmed his death in a statement, remembering him as an actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate. A cause of death has not been officially announced.
Mitte became widely known for his role as Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White on Breaking Bad. He appeared throughout all five seasons of the series from 2008 through 2013 and became an important part of one of television’s most celebrated ensembles.
Like his character, Mitte lived with cerebral palsy. He drew from his own experiences for the role and later became an outspoken advocate for greater representation and opportunities for people with disabilities in Hollywood.
Breaking Bad [Sony Pictures Television]
Outside of Breaking Bad, Mitte appeared in projects including Switched at Birth, The Guardians of Justice, The Oak Room and the 2021 film Triumph. His latest film, Talking to Strangers, premiered earlier this year, with Mitte attending a screening in Beverly Hills on September 30.
Mitte also worked extensively with organizations supporting people with disabilities, including United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and served as president of The Mitte Foundation.
His representatives described him as a powerful voice for inclusion whose influence reached well beyond his work on screen.
RJ Mitte was 34.
Jeremy Allen White is ready to step into the shoes of legendary actor Gene Wilder, he just needs someone to make the call.
The Bear star recently addressed the possibility of portraying Wilder in an upcoming biopic after fans pointed out the striking resemblance between the two actors.
During an appearance on TODAY, White was asked whether he would be interested in taking on the role.
“Absolutely, it would be my honour,”
White said.
White went on to reveal his longtime admiration for Wilder and some of his most iconic films.
“Young Frankenstein is one of my earliest film memories. Blazing Saddles, he’s a genius. It would be an honor. He was a genius. It would be an honor. Yeah, I love him. I’ve always loved him.”
Jeremy Allen White [Photo by Dan Doperalski]
Despite his enthusiasm, White confirmed that he has not been cast in the project. When asked whether the role was already his, the actor quickly responded, “No! No, no, no,” before adding, “We’ll see, we’re manifesting it.”
A Gene Wilder biopic was announced earlier this year, with filmmaker Dito Montiel attached to direct. The project has the cooperation of Wilder’s estate, though casting has yet to be announced.
Wilder remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic performers, starring in classics including Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and The Producers. He died in 2016 at the age of 83 following complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
With White openly interested and fans already making comparisons between the two actors, the upcoming biopic may have just found its most obvious candidate, even if the phone hasn’t rung yet.
Blumhouse is bringing another popular horror video game to the big screen.
The studio is developing a live-action adaptation of Amanda the Adventurer, the indie horror game series from MANGLEDmaw Games and publisher DreadXP.
The project was announced during BlumFest at New York Comic Con, with Matthew “MatPat” Patrick attached to produce the film. Patrick is best known for creating the popular Game Theory YouTube series and has spent years exploring the lore behind horror games and other franchises.
Amanda the Adventurer follows Riley Park, who inherits the home of their Aunt Kate and discovers a collection of mysterious VHS tapes in the attic. The tapes contain episodes of an apparently innocent children’s program starring a young girl named Amanda and her sheep companion, Wooly.
Things quickly become much more disturbing when Amanda and Wooly appear capable of communicating directly with the person watching the tapes.
Amanda the Adventurer
The original game became known for combining the appearance of an early-2000s children’s television show with puzzle-solving, psychological horror and increasingly unsettling imagery.
The franchise has since expanded with Amanda the Adventurer 2 and Amanda the Adventurer 3.
The movie will also mark the first project under a broader partnership between Patrick and Blumhouse focused on adapting indie horror games and online horror properties for the screen.
Blumhouse already has major experience turning horror games into theatrical properties following the success of its Five Nights at Freddy’s films.
The Amanda the Adventurer adaptation remains early in development. A writer and director have not yet been announced, and there is currently no confirmed cast or release date.
Breaking Bad Star RJ Mitte Dies at 34
RJ Mitte, the actor best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad, has died...
Jeremy Allen White Says It Would Be an ‘Honor’ to Play Gene Wilder in Upcoming Biopic
Jeremy Allen White is ready to step into the shoes of legendary actor Gene Wilder, he just needs someone to...
Blumhouse Is Developing a Live-Action ‘Amanda the Adventurer’ Movie
Blumhouse is bringing another popular horror video game to the big screen. The studio is developing a live-action adaptation of...
New ‘Paranormal Activity’ Movie Is Returning to the Original House
Paranormal Activity is going back to where the nightmare began. The upcoming eighth installment in the found-footage horror franchise will...
Carrie-ing the Torch: A Bloody Brilliant Return to a Stephen King Classic
Introduction: Taking Another Stab at a Familiar Story Just when I thought the story of Carrie White had been adapted...
John Cena Says Peacemaker Is Taking a Backseat as James Gunn Builds Out the DCU
John Cena may not be putting on the Peacemaker helmet again anytime soon, but the actor appears perfectly comfortable waiting...
