Blue Beetle will return to the cinema with Superman

James Gunn confirms the presence of Xolo Maridueña in the DCU sequel starting with Man of Tomorrow, in 2027.

He’s a character from the DC Universe that we had totally forgotten…

And yet Blue Beetle has not said his last word. James Gunn has confirmed that Xolo Maridueña will reprise the role of Jaime Reyes in Superman: Man of Tomorrowthe continuation of Supermancurrently filming and expected in French theaters on July 7, 2027.

The former young hero of Cobra Kai (the series Karate Kid), had made his debut as the superhero in 2023 in Blue Beetledirected by Angel Manuel Soto. He played Jaime Reyes, a young graduate whose life is turned upside down when an alien beetle gives him exceptional powers. Guest of Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast (see below), James Gunn recalled the importance of the character in his new DC continuity: “The first character in the DCU is Blue Beetle. And the first real DCU film is Superman.” Upon his release, Blue Beetle also made history by becoming the first film in the DC universe to feature a Latino superhero.

At the time, Xolo Maridueña also underlined the symbolic significance of this role. And to play Blue Beetle, the actor had undergone intensive physical preparation, gaining nearly 12 kilos of muscle thanks to bodybuilding, martial arts and a suitable diet.

As early as 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran had assured that the character would be part of the long-term plans of the new DC Universe. According to Peter Safran, the role required as much a sense of physical comedy as true dramatic intensity, Jaime Reyes being motivated above all by the desire to protect his family. For his part, Xolo Maridueña had already said he was ready to return: “Whether we make twenty films or just this one, I already feel fulfilled. But if we do another one, I’m ready…and I’ll gain another ten pounds of muscle!“

As previously announced, David Corenswet will find the Superman costume in Superman: Man of Tomorrowwritten and directed by James Gunn. This time, the Man of Steel will be forced to team up with his enemy Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) in order to face an even more formidable threat: Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger.