‘Blue Beetle’ Star Raoul Max Trujillo Was Almost In ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (Exclusive)

The Blue Beetle villain almost joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Raoul Max Trullijo Conrad Carapax the Indestructible Man Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Raoul Max Trujillo is set to make his DC Universe debut this August as Carapax the Indestructible Man in Blue Beetle. However, during a recent interview with Heroic Hollywood, Trujillo revealed that he was offered a role in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever before discussions fell through.

Before he was known as Carapax the Indestructible Man in the Blue Beetle film, Raoul Max Trujillo voiced Namor in the short-lived Avengers: United They Stand cartoon. Just a few years later, Trujillo became a household name with his role in the critically-acclaimed film Apocalypto, which followed the events of a young Mesoamerican hunter taken to a decaying Mayan city as a human sacrifice.

With the newest incarnation of Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever taking heavy inspiration from Mesoamerican indigenous groups like the Maya, Raoul Max Trujillo was asked if he’d ever consider returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a Namor project, or if he had found a new home at DC as Conrad Carapax. Trujillo mentioned that he was actually offered a role in Wakanda Forever, but turned it down due to constraints on the film’s budget and the limited nature of the character.

“I mean, that’s really funny that you mention that because I was actually offered a role in [Wakanda Forever],” he told Heroic Hollywood. “But because of budgetary constraints and the fact that the script was being developed and changed and… did you see the film?… I saw it. I loved it. I thought it was amazing. And I was like ‘Damn! I wish I had done that!’, but I also understood that the character was only being introduced at the very sort of end of the film.”

Despite turning down the role in the film, Raoul Max Trujillo loved what Marvel Studios ended up doing with Namor and Atlantis in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While he isn’t jumping at the chance to abandon his role as Carapax the Indestructible Man in Blue Beetle, he would be open to appearing in the MCU if wanted him and he could continue to appear in the DC Universe:

“If there’s a future and they want to approach me again… I’m not sure how it would work with DC and Marvel being on opposite sides, or if I’d even be allowed to, because right now DC and Warner Bros. kind of own me,” he explained. “But I love that, I thought what they did was amazing. And I personally would love to do it, but I’m not going to give up my loyalty at this point to Warner Bros. and DC because they took a chance to bring an old guy like me into this supervillain role, and for that, I’m really grateful. But, yes, I’m open to any of that stuff because it’s one of my favorite genres and I just love it.”

Raoul Max Trujillo didn’t specify what role he would have played in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, or if that character even remained in the final script. Given he would have only appeared in the back end of the film, it’s likely Trujillo would have played an Atlantean villain being set up for a Namor solo project. While he seems more than happy to stay as Carapax the Indestructible Man in the DC Universe, the Multiverse Saga presents endless opportunities for him to join the MCU in the future.

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 Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon and Harvey Guillén.

Blue Beetle is currently scheduled to hit theaters on August 18, 2023. 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!