Hollywood star Ben Kingsley, who made a cameo appearance in last year's 'Shang-Chi' as Trevor Slattery, is set to return in a new Disney+ series titled 'Wonder Man'.
Kingsley's Trevor, a washed-up actor, first made his MCU appearance in 'Iron Man 3', where he had been recruited to pose as menacing villains like The Mandarin. Speaking to Variety about his role, Kinsley said, "If I may humbly speak as an artist and a craftsman, I think our role is to constantly surprise and refresh. So I hope that I continue to constantly surprise and refresh."
According to Variety, it was originally announced in June that the show was in production. The main subject will be Simon Williams, a.k.a. Wonder Man, from the Marvel comics. Williams is the fictional son of a wealthy businessman whose business struggles as a result of rivalry with Tony Stark's Stark Industries.
Williams later agrees to the offer made by the villain Baron Zemo, which grants him superhuman ionic abilities including tremendous strength and durability. After engaging them on multiple occasions, Wonder Man eventually joined the Avengers' ranks.
Kingsley's reappearance as Trevor confirms rumours that the programme is meant to be a Hollywood satire because it is known that Trevor is a failed actor and that Wonder Man has worked as both an actor and a stuntman in the comics.
Kingsley will reportedly play a significant role in the series, however, it is unknown how he will fit into the storyline or how many episodes he will appear in.
Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed and co-wrote 'Shang-Chi', and who will work as an executive producer and co-creator on the 'Wonder Man' series, will collaborate with Kingsley once more on the role, as per Variety.
One of the most well-known performers of the contemporary era, Kingsley is recognised for his work in movies including 'Gandhi', 'Sexy Beast', 'House of Sand and Fog', 'Bugsy', and 'Schindler's List'.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.