Xolo Maridueña Confirmed to Reprise Role as Blue Beetle in James Gunn’s DCU
Published on October 1st, 2023 | Updated on October 1st, 2023 | By FanFest
James Gunn Confirms Xolo Maridueña’s Return to the DCU
After a lackluster box office run this summer, it appears that the story of Jaime Reyes (played by Xolo Maridueña) as Blue Beetle is far from over. James Gunn has officially confirmed that Xolo Maridueña will return to don the hero’s mantle in the upcoming DC Universe project set for the big screen. Gunn made this revelation via a post on his Threads profile, exciting fans with the news of Maridueña’s return. While this iteration of Blue Beetle may not follow the exact path as Ángel Manuel Soto’s film from earlier this year, some elements of his origin story may be retained to ensure a degree of continuity while allowing Gunn to craft his own unique vision for the character and the broader franchise.
The previous Blue Beetle film was set within the DC Universe continuity established in 2013 with the release of ‘Man of Steel.’ After over a decade of storytelling within this universe, the narrative is poised to conclude with the highly anticipated ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ releasing this year. When it was announced that James Gunn and Peter Safran were taking the reins of creative control across DC’s cinematic, television, and video game endeavors, questions arose about what would be considered canon in this new era of the franchise. Gunn has now provided clarity on this matter, stating that nothing predating the upcoming ‘Creature Commandos’ animated television series, scheduled for release next year, will be regarded as part of the official canon.
Xolo Maridueña, Viola Davis and John Cena Return with Unique Twists
In addition to Xolo Maridueña’s return as Jaime Reyes, Gunn has also revealed that Viola Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller, and John Cena’s Peacemaker will join the action in the new iteration of the DC Universe. Both characters are expected to retain certain characteristics from their previous appearances, although it’s important to note that they may not be precisely the same versions that audiences have seen in past projects. A similar example of this creative approach can be observed in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ where J.K. Simmons portrayed a different rendition of J. Jonah Jameson after first appearing as the character in Sam Raimi’s earlier trilogy of films.
Who Is Jaime Reyes?
When the most recent rendition of Blue Beetle made his debut in his standalone film earlier this year, Jaime Reyes had just completed his college education and was on the hunt for his first job. His sister managed to secure him a position at the mansion of Victoria Kord (portrayed by Susan Sarandon), but his employment was short-lived after he found himself entangled in a heated altercation between Victoria and her niece, Jenny (played by Bruna Marquezine). This unexpected turn of events led Jenny to extend a unique employment opportunity to him; however, instead of a job, she entrusted him with an ancient artifact known as the Scarab, all while evading her malevolent aunt Victoria’s security team. With the aid of the advanced technological suit bestowed by this relic, Jaime transformed into Blue Beetle. The upcoming rendition of the character promises to bring a fresh perspective to the role, leaving fans eager to see how it diverges from its DCEU predecessor.
For more insights into Gunn’s vision, be sure to explore his social media updates below:
James Gunn clarifies on 🧵 that Creature Commandos & Superman: Legacy will officially kick off DCU canon.
Also confirms that Xolo Maridueña, Viola Davis & John Cena will reprise their DCEU roles in the new canon. pic.twitter.com/EwbQNeCBVR
— POC Culture (@POCculture) September 27, 2023
Micajah McGregor, Editor in Chief of FanFest.com and renowned entertainment journalist, graduated from USC with a focus on Journalism and Film Studies. With an MBA from The Wharton School, he began his career at “PopCulture Pulse” and has been instrumental in shaping FanFest into a prime entertainment news source. Known for his financial analysis of celebrity net worths, Micajah received the ‘Digital Editor of the Year’ award in 2018. He’s also an active blogger, sharing his passion for superhero films and ’90s TV. Contact him at [email protected] for engaging entertainment insights.
