‘Blue Beetle’ Director Teases Ted Kord & Dan Garrett’s Impact On Jaime’s Story

The return of Blue Beetle(s)?

Dan Garrett Ted Kord Blue Beetle

Blue Beetle is set to follow the story of Jaime Reyes learning to become a hero using the scarab Khaji Da. In a new interview, director Angel Manuel Soto teases the impact of previous Blue Beetles Ted Kord and Dan Garrett, along with the possibility of their return to the new DC Universe.

While Jaime Reyes may be the most well-known Blue Beetle, he’s far from the only one. Dan Garrett was the original Blue Beetle who wielded the scarab Khaji Da before passing it down to Ted Kord. While Ted couldn’t get the scarab to work, he was the hero to bring the mantle to the mainstream and eventually pass it down to Jaime. Angel Manuel Soto speaks on how this comic legacy is represented in the film, along with a potential future for the characters in the DC Universe:

“[Victoria Kord’s] relationship with Ted and the fact Ted has a daughter is very present in the movie,” Soto told Den of Geek. “A lot of Ted’s gadgets are also important to the film. So being able to keep the idea of Ted and Dan Garrett in the movie and how that came to be, does help Jaime understand what he’s going through. Some of the people around him are fans of Blue Beetle. It’s Jaime’s story, but the context still exists, and a lot of it was thought out and executed and done with the intention of bringing someone back in the future.”

While the obvious place for Ted Kord and Dan Garrett to appear would be a Blue Beetle sequel, Jaime Reyes isn’t the only hero they’re connected to. Ted Kord shares strong ties with the hero Booster Gold, who’s set to get his own series in the new DC Universe. It’s possible the hero shows up there, especially as the character’s time travel may allow for the hero to be resurrected. However, it’s likely only Angel Manuel Soto knows the true plans for the characters.

Who is DC’s Blue Beetle?

Blue Beetle is one of DC’s lesser-known heroes, but he has a dedicated fanbase nonetheless. Created in 1939 by Charles Wojtkowski, Blue Beetle has gone through several iterations over the years. The Jaime Reyes version of the character was introduced during the events of 2006’s Infinite Crisis and quickly became a fan-favorite.

In the pages of DC Comics, Jaime Reyes is a teenager from El Paso, Texas. Jaime discovers a scarab beetle-shaped device that bonds with his body, giving him access to an advanced suit of armor and various powers. He becomes the latest in a long line of Blue Beetles and must learn to balance his newfound abilities with his everyday life.

Angel Manuel Soto is directing Blue Beetle from a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. The full cast of the movie also includes Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Trujillo, Susan Sarandon and Harvey Guillén.

Blue Beetle is currently scheduled to hit theaters on August 18. Stay tuned for the latest news surrounding the film.

Anthony Singletary

Anthony Singletary

Anthony has always had a love for stories. An aspiring screenwriter and video editor, he takes pride in connecting fans with the latest heroic news!