During a recent appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast, DC Studios co-head James Gunn confirmed that Blue Beetle, portrayed by the Cobra Kai breakout Xolo Mariduena, will officially be the first DC Universe character to grace the silver screen. Gunn, known for his work on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the beloved superhero to life in a standalone movie.
Interestingly, the first film produced by DC Studios won’t spotlight Blue Beetle. Superman: Legacy, which is being produced by James Gunn and his DC Studios partner Peter Safran, will set the stage for the cinematic adventures of the DC Universe. Whether Blue Beetle and Superman will cross paths in this evolving narrative of the DCU is a detail yet to be revealed.
“The first DCU character for sure is Blue Beetle, and the first DCU movie is Superman [Legacy.]”
Representation in superhero media has been a hot topic in recent years, with audiences calling for more diversity in casting and storytelling. Blue Beetle marks a step forward in this regard and fans have already taken to social media to express their excitement for the movie.
A 20-year old actor of Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian descent, Xolo Maridueña is best known for his work as Miguel Diaz in the Karate Kid sequel series Cobra Kai, which made its debut on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix. He previously starred in the NBC series Parenthood. Blue Beetle marks Maridueña’s first foray into the DC Universe.
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 Jamie 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, Jamie Reyes is a teenager from El Paso, Texas. Jamie 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, 2023. Stay tuned for the latest news surrounding the film.
