Hugh Jackman once shared a key piece of advice with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II after the actor was cast in a major role within the DC Extended Universe. Speaking ahead of his transition to a new superhero role, Abdul-Mateen reflected on the moment and the impact Jackman’s words had on his approach.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on what advice he got from Hugh Jackman after casting in Aquaman
On the Heroes Journey podcast, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II revealed the advice Hugh Jackman gave him after he landed his role in Aquaman. “I was on the set of The Greatest Showman. And I remember people clapping and cheering for me, and things like that,” Abdul-Mateen II said. “And Hugh Jackman gave me some advice. He’s like, ‘It’s always better to play the villain.’” Jackman told him, “You win all the fights except for the last one. You work the least amount of days. And you get to say all the cool lines!”
Abdul-Mateen II first auditioned for Aquaman in late 2016 and early 2017. “The superhero thing was big in 2016 when I auditioned for Aquaman… I think, ‘This is going to change my life.’ You know what I mean? And I wanted it. I did want it. I wanted it in the pure way. It felt like I put in a lot of hard work, and I wanted to have a moment,” he said. He debuted as the villain Black Manta in the 2018 film Aquaman.
Abdul-Mateen II reprised his role as Black Manta in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the final installment in the DC Extended Universe. James Gunn and Peter Safran have not confirmed whether Black Manta will appear in their DC Universe. Despite the uncertainty, the role launched Abdul-Mateen II’s ongoing involvement in superhero media.
He now stars as Simon “Wonder Man” Williams in Marvel’s Wonder Man. Disney+ will begin streaming the series on January 27, 2026. The show joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe and includes Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery. Andrew Guest wrote Wonder Man, and Disney+ distributes it.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on SuperHeroHype.
