The Breakfast Club - "What Would Wonderman Do?"

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Lauren LaRosa (for The Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartPodcasts)
Featured Guest: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Star of Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man)
Special Segment: Virtual HBCU Student Roundtable

Episode Overview

This episode centers on an exclusive HBCU student roundtable with actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, star of Marvel Studios’ new Disney+ series, Wonder Man. Hosted by Lauren LaRosa, the conversation explores the creative process behind the show, Abdul-Mateen’s personal and professional journey, and thoughtful questions from HBCU journalism students about representation, perseverance, and artistry in Hollywood. Rich in candid insights and relatable anecdotes, this episode highlights the intersection of Black excellence, creativity, and the world of superhero storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Wonder Man and the Marvel Universe

• Context:
  Lauren opens by describing the buzz around Marvel’s Wonder Man, highlighting its focus on an actor trying to make it in Hollywood—especially the added layer of navigating that journey as a Black actor.
  • "Currently trending everywhere, I’m seeing it across Google trends... conversations are happening because Marvel’s new TV show about actors trying to make it in Hollywood... especially when you’re a black actor. In Hollywood, Wonder Man is trending." (01:26)
• Characters & Casting:
  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Simon Williams (Wonder Man). Sir Ben Kingsley reprises his role as Trevor Slattery from previous Marvel films.
  • "Wonder Man is a part of the Marvel series already. Sir Ben Kingsley, he reprises his role as the Marvel Universe’s Trevor Slattery..." (03:04)

2. HBCU Virtual Roundtable Format

• Lauren brings together student journalists from several HBCUs to interview Abdul-Mateen II, emphasizing the pride and importance of representation.
  • "I’ve never experienced anything like this when I was a student. So I’m so happy for them to be here..." (04:10)
  • Special thanks given to “Watch the Yard” for supporting HBCU voices and partnerships.

Student Q&A with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

A. Trinity Pender (Dillard University) — Character Interpretation

• Question: Difference between Simon Williams on the page and on screen?
• Yahya’s Insight:
  • Simon is portrayed as a big-hearted, passionate, sometimes insecure actor, occasionally manipulative but always learning.
  • "A guy with a big heart...can be selfish and a bit manipulative...very, very passionate. Sometimes he’s a bit of a nervous wreck, but I think his intentions are good...someone who’s willing to learn." (06:59)

B. Kendall Parks (Prairie View A&M) — Memorable On-Set Moments

• Question: Most memorable moment on set?
• Yahya’s Insight:
  • Watching Sir Ben Kingsley reprise the Mandarin role was a highlight, allowing him to be a Marvel fan on set rather than just the star.
  • "I got to watch him put on that character...that was cool because most days, you know, when I went to work, it was about me working and the camera on me. That was a cool moment because I got to step aside..." (10:02)

C. Lauren LaRosa — Personal Inspiration & Escapism

• Question: How did real life inspire your portrayal of a dreamer?
• Yahya’s Insight:
  • Drew from his own post-grad-school years, feeling unknown but full of potential.
  • Relatable to anyone chasing dreams—artists, students, creators.
  • "I remember being in graduate school feeling like I had something to offer...knowing that what I have to offer can fill the globe...Simon has this dream...he knows he has something special..." (11:51)
  • On anxiety and perseverance: "The overthinking, the overanalyzing, the anxiety, but then the ability to persevere through that." (13:31)

D. Malik Davis (Norfolk State University) — Character Journey vs. Personal Journey

• Question: Parallels between Simon Williams’ acting journey and his own?
• Yahya’s Insight:
  • Yahya's breakthrough was faster—he landed a major role early—whereas Simon Williams started with background roles and bit parts.
  • "We did both start off with a big dream and a small trailer...the commonality is the passion, the real true passion for the craft, although our paths are markedly different." (15:17)

E. Sydney Frank (Hampton University) — Superhero Roles & Character Depth

• Question: How did past superhero roles inform playing Simon Williams?
• Yahya’s Insight:
  • Unlike Aquaman and Watchmen, he focused less on superpowers, more on human vulnerabilities—Simon’s powers mirror anger issues and anxiety.
  • "He had powers, but they sort of look like anger management...I really got to play a guy with anger issues, with anxiety, a guy with a big heart, a guy with a dream..." (16:43)

F. Kaylin John Louis (Florida A&M) — Storytelling, Representation, and Legacy

• Question: How does being part of something bigger (like a Greek organization) shape his storytelling choices?
• Yahya’s Insight:
  • Prioritizes personal truth and authenticity in his performances over direct considerations of representation.
  • Sees value in opening doors for others, creating opportunities for underrepresented voices.
  • "If I make work for myself, then the people who I want to respond to it will respond to it...I do think that it’s important to open doors and to make sure that people who come from where I come from have the same type of education and opportunities..." (19:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perseverance and Dreams:
  "Keep on going. The world is wide open right now...find friends who believe in you, but you got to believe in yourself first." — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (22:33)
• On Artistry and Representation:
  "I represent something that is bigger than myself. But I do that by first representing myself...and then I let what I represent speak for itself." — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (21:24)
• On Marvel Fandom On-Set:
  "I got to step aside and just have a moment for myself and be a fan of what it was that we were creating." — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (10:02)
• On Relatability of Simon Williams:
  "Simon has this dream. He knows that he has something special inside of him that he has to offer, and he feels like nobody knows." — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (12:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:26 — Pop culture context & Wonder Man synopsis
• 05:27 — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II joins the roundtable
• 06:32 — Trinity Pender’s question: character interpretation
• 09:29 — Kendall Parks’ question: memorable set moment
• 11:16 — Lauren’s question: acting inspiration and escapism
• 14:05 — Malik Davis’ question: career parallels
• 16:20 — Sydney Frank’s question: superhero roles and character depth
• 18:32 — Kaylin John Louis’ question: representation and storytelling
• 22:33 — Yahya’s closing advice to creators and students

Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers an engaging look behind Wonder Man and the journey of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, filtered through the lens of HBCU student voices. The conversation seamlessly blends Marvel fandom, real-world ambition, and the intricacies of being a Black creative in Hollywood. Abdul-Mateen II’s reflections stand out as both inspirational and grounded, and the student-driven Q&A captures the energy and pride of the HBCU community. Listeners come away with not only behind-the-scenes Marvel insights but also universal creative life lessons.