Warner Bros. is well known for developing plans for movies quite far in advance, particularly within the DC Extended Universe. The DCEU's upcoming slate includes a slew of outings that will forgo the theatrical experience in favor of a streaming release such as the mysterious project centered around Blue Beetle.
Having been in development since 2018, Blue Beetle will feature the new lead hero Jaime Reyes, who discovered the Blue Beetle scarab before gaining its abilities and a suit of armor. While the hero was previously seen in the long-running Smallville TV show, this will be Reyes’ first time in a starring role as he joins the ranks of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman within the DCEU.
There is no timeline for the movie’s production or release, although Warner Bros. has enlisted Angel Manuel Soto as its director. Now, news has come out regarding the young man who will bring Jaime Reyes to life in his first solo movie.
BLUE BEETLE COMING TO LIFE
The Wrap revealed that Xolo Maridueña is slated to play the main role of Jaime Reyes in Warner Bros.' live-action Blue Beetle film. The Cobra Kai star will play DC's first Latino leading character in the movie, which is currently set to release on HBO Max.
A STAR IN THE MAKING
Maridueña is quickly building a solid resume with projects like Cobra Kai and Victor and Valentino under his belt. However, this will be the 20-year-old's first time in a role this prominent as the DCEU looks to expand its content with streaming movies.
With his Mexican and Cuban background, the Los Angeles native seems to be a perfect fit to bring Jaime Reyes to life in his first starring role after a short run on Smallville. The biggest questions that remain are how the hero will fit alongside his powered co-stars and how his story will weave into everything told in the DCEU thus far.
Now that Blue Beetle has its director, writer, and leading star, the wait begins to see how Warner Bros. will fill in the rest of the cast and when shooting will get underway. With the movie being so early in development, it will still likely be some time before any more official news comes on this unique DCEU entry.
