Warner Bros has just unveiled a captivating trailer for the upcoming DC film Blue Beetle, directed by Angel Manuel Soto. Initially planned as an HBO Max exclusive, the studio ultimately decided on a big-screen release before production began. This milestone film, showcasing the first Latin DC superhero, was brought to life under Walter Hamada’s leadership and will now become part of the larger DC universe being crafted by Peter Safran and James Gunn. Blue Beetle is friends with Booster Gold, another DC character who is being developed into a TV series by Gunn and Safran.
Blue Beetle will debut in theaters on August 18 and will also be viewable in IMAX.
The film stars Xolo Maridueña as the protagonist Jaime Reyes, who returns home from college with big dreams for his future. Upon his return, however, he realizes that things have changed. As Jaime searches for his purpose, he stumbles upon an ancient alien artifact, the Scarab. Chosen by the Scarab to be its host, Jaime gains an incredible suit of armor with astonishing and unpredictable powers, transforming him into the superhero Blue Beetle.
Joining Maridueña on screen are Adriana Barraza as Nana, Damían Alcázar as Jaime’s father, Elpidia Carrillo as his mother, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax, Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, and George Lopez as Uncle Rudy. The cast also features Belissa Escobedo as Milagro, Jaime’s sister, and Harvey Guillén as Dr. Sanchez.
Angel Manuel Soto directs the film with a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, based on DC characters. The production team includes John Rickard and Zev Foreman as producers, and Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman, and Garrett Grant as executive producers. The talented crew comprises cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski, production designer John Billington, editor Craig Alpert, costume designer Mayes C. Rubeo, visual effects supervisor Kelvin McIlwain, and composer Bobby Krlic.
Who is Blue Beetle? Is Blue Beetle DC’s Spider-man?
The movie’s first trailer is now out, and the anticipation is building for Xolo Maridueña’s (Cobra Kai) portrayal of Jaime Reyes.
While many are swooning over the flawless superhero costume, others are speculating on the character’s role within the broader franchise. Some suggest that if the storyline is executed well, Blue Beetle might become the DCU’s equivalent of Spider-Man.
With that in mind, let’s delve into Blue Beetle’s comic book beginnings and explore the possibility of him being DC’s Spider-Man counterpart.
Could Blue Beetle be the DC equivalent of Spider-Man?
Indeed, there are striking similarities between Blue Beetle and Spider-Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Aside from both being teenage superheroes inspired by insects, they’ve also encountered extraterrestrial beings.
However, that’s about where the resemblances end. The two heroes have distinct backgrounds and abilities. Speaking of abilities, what powers does Blue Beetle possess?
Blue Beetle is a mantle inherited by three individuals thus far: Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes. The forthcoming film focuses on the third iteration, Jaime Reyes, though it’s expected to mention his forerunner Ted Kord.
Jaime, a Mexican-American teen from El Paso, Texas, was introduced to the DC Comics universe in 2006. He discovers archeologist Dan Garrett’s ancient scarab after it falls to Earth, which leads to the revamped alien technology merging with his spine. Jaime eventually gains access to an extraterrestrial suit of armor that he employs to combat adversaries threatening his hometown.
The Blue Beetle scarab bestows various superpowers and skills upon Jaime, such as heightened strength, flight, speed, endurance, immediate weaponry, combat prowess, and shapeshifting.
Now that we’re acquainted with Jaime, let’s learn more about the actor bringing him to life in the live-action Blue Beetle movie.
Xolo Maridueña, renowned for his role in ‘Cobra Kai,’ takes on the character of Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle.
In August 2021, numerous sources announced Xolo Maridueña’s casting as the protagonist in the DC Extended Universe’s Blue Beetle. The 21-year-old actor, celebrated for his portrayal of Miguel Diaz in Cobra Kai, has expressed gratitude for his involvement in the inaugural Latino-focused superhero film.
“Visibility is incredibly significant,” Xolo remarked during a March 2022 interview with Power 106 Los Angeles. He continued, “Witnessing a Latino in a positive role and as the story’s hero… I believe it will be a game-changer, demonstrating that Latinos aren’t a monolithic group.”
Although Blue Beetle has a few similarities to Marvel’s Spider-Man, it stands out with its unique backstory and abilities. The live-action Blue Beetle film, starring Xolo Maridueña, has the potential to break barriers in the representation of diverse cultures and identities in the superhero genre. The film’s release could provide much-needed visibility for Latino actors and superheroes and could contribute to the growing push for more diversity in the entertainment industry.
