Summary
Blue Beetleactor Xolo Maridueña will reprise his DCEU role in James Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU). The young actor has now provided an update on when to expect his character’s return.
Blue Beetlewas one of the last DCEU movies released before the franchise was rebooted into Gunn’sDCU. However, in the lead-up to the film’s release, Gunn clarified that he intended tobring back Maridueña’s Blue Beetle in the new DCU. Nearly a year later,Deadlinereported that aBlue Beetleanimated series was in development that would build on the DCEU movie but start its own story that could lead to a new feature film starring Maridueña as Jaime Reyes. The report noted that multiple actors had been approached and responded positively to potentially returning, but contracts for the main cast were “still in flux.” However, Maridueña recently confirmed he is indeed returning to voice Jaime Reyes in theBlue Beetleanimated series.
What’s the Status of the Blue Beetle Animated DCU Series?
During an interview withThe Directat the 2025 Saturn Awards,Maridueña revealed he hopes to see theBlue Beetleanimated series released in 2026. Maridueña said that while he’s ready to return as Jaime Reyes and that the team is “hitting hard” with theBlue Beetleanimated series, they need to “get this settled out this year” to show the series to fans next year. RegardingGunn’s plans for Blue Beetleand the possibility of returning for a live-action film, Maridueña said he didn’t want to comment while the DC Studios is developing his DCU plans but that he’s “ready” for whatever happens.
Look, he’s got his hands in his kitchen. I don’t want to walk in while the chef is doing his thing. But I can say that once they’re finished with this three-course meal, I’m ready.
After Gunn and Peter Safran were named DC Studios' co-CEOs and tasked with launching the new DCU franchise, Gal Gadot claimed the duo told herthey would developWonder Woman 3together. However, subsequent reports have refuted these claims, leading fans to assume that Gadot was trying to secure her role as Wonder Woman through the press or that Gunn had misled the actress about his plans for the character, who could be recast for the DCU. Whatever the truth is on that matter, Maridueña said he has no reason to believe Gunn is lying about wanting him to stay on board as Blue Beetle.
And look, I have no reason to believe that he’s lying. Like, whatever, we’re adults, say whatever you want to say! [laughs] I’m just happy to have done this first one and I’ll continue to spread the word about that while we get the second one drafted up.
Maridueña is one of the few DCEU actors to reprise his role in the new DCU franchise. He may be the only actor who wasn’t a cast member in Gunn’s DCEU projectsThe Suicide SquadandPeacemaker.As noted by Deadline, theBlue Beetleseries intends to build off the DCEU movie while telling a new story, meaning Gunn will likely pick and choose which elements from the film are still DCU canon. For instance, the animated seriesCreature Commandosreferencesevents fromThe Suicide SquadandPeacemaker, such as the death of Rick Flag Jr. and Amanda Waller’s Task Force X being exposed. However, Gunn has explained that these events are DCU canon because they were mentioned inCreature Commandos, not because they happened inThe Suicide SquadandPeacemaker. Everything else in those DCEU projects has been described by Gunn as a ‘bad memory’ of what happened.
Of course, theBlue Beetlemovie was partly praised for its stellar supporting cast. Jaime Reyes' family and love interest Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) endeared themselves to fans. So, while it is understandable why Gunn may want to avoid being beholden to every aspect of theBlue Beetlemovie, many fans likely want to see more than just the titular hero return.
