Warner Bros.' future plans for the DC Extended Universe include a feature film centered on Blue Beetle. Portraying the lead character will be Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña, who joined director Angel Manuel Soto and writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer to provide a sneak preview of the film at DC FanDome 2021.
In DC comics, the Blue Beetle mantle has been taken on by three characters, including Dan Garrett and Ted Kord. Warner Bros. and DC's Blue Beetle movie, however, will focus on Jaime Reyes, the third character to assume the moniker, who was introduced into the DC mythos as recently as 2006.
Because the Blue Beetle film is still in pre-production, footage of the film could not be presented at DC FanDome 2021. However, as previously mentioned, Blue Beetle star Maridueña attended the event remotely to declare that his character has the best superhero suit of all time, just as the concept art of the costume was unveiled. Furthermore, Dunnet-Alcocer promised that Blue Beetle will be "fun," "funny," "crazy," and has "feelings," which he said reflects both Latin Americans and all that is great about Blue Beetle. Adding to the excitement of his cohorts, Manuel Soto noted that Blue Beetle will open the door for "a new generation of what Blue Beetle can become at the hands of Jaime."
Manuel Soto added that Dunnet-Alcocer perfectly captured the Latino family as they see themselves, as opposed to the perspective of a third party. As an example of how Jaime Reyes' superhero journey will be different, Dunnet-Alcocer humorously compared the character's origin to that of Spider-Man. As Dunnet-Alcocer said, Peter Parker's first instinct after being bitten by a radioactive spider and gaining superhuman abilities was to hide his powers from his family. "Well, [Jaime] is from a Mexican family, so good luck hiding anything from anybody," he said. After expressing their excitement about being able to bring a superhero story they say hasn't been told before and their enthusiasm over working together, Manuel Soto welcomed all fans to their Blue Beetle family.
Per DC Comics mythology, Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle gains his powers after he discovers a scarab of alien origin that bonds with him and provides extraterrestrial armor. Considering Dunnet-Alcocer outlined this history during the DC FanDome panel, fans can probably expect the Blue Beetle movie to follow a similar story.
After Warner Bros. opted to change plans for the DC Extended Universe due to the turmoil that accompanied the theatrical release of Justice League, many fans were uncertain about what the future holds for their favorite heroes. While there are still questions about big-name heroes like Superman, Warner Bros. and DC's plan to spotlight diverse heroes like Blue Beetle is being welcomed by most people.
Blue Beetle is currently in development at Warner Bros. and DC.
Source: DC FanDome/YouTube