The DCU Already Has The Perfect Way To Bring Back 2023’s Breakout Superhero

The new DC Universe has the perfect way to build upon Blue Beetle, bringing back Jaime Reyes, 2023’s breakout superhero. Xolo Maridueña gave life to Jaime, leading Blue Beetle‘s cast and ushering a refreshing new story into the old DCEU. Despite the end of that shared universe, DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, the latter who was a producer on Blue Beetle, had made it clear that Maridueña’s time as Jaime Reyes would continue in the new DCU.

While it seemed like things were resolved regarding Maridueña’s DCU future, Blue Beetle tanked at the box office. According to the specialized box office tracking website Box Office Mojo, Blue Beetle ended its global run with $130.7 million. That number is very low, as the movie had a reported production budget of $104 million, not accounting for marketing costs, which are usually calculated by doubling the movie’s budget. Blue Beetle‘s box office failure put the chances of Blue Beetle 2 happening and Maridueña’s return in the DCU at risk. However, that does not seem to be a problem anymore.

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Xolo Maridueña Confirms Blue Beetle Will Return In The New DCU

Jaime Reyes’ Story Is Not Done Yet

Recently, Maridueña confirmed to Screen Rant that his Blue Beetle will be back in the DCU. The actor won a major trophy at the 2024 Saturn Awards — a ceremony that celebrates the year’s best in genre fiction — for Best Younger Actor for his lead role in Blue Beetle. Speaking about his future as Blue Beetle in the DCU, Maridueña was direct, saying, “I know we’ll see Blue Beetle again.” The actor did raise questions as to where that could be, as Blue Beetle 2 is far from a safe bet. Check out the full quote below:

I know we’ll see Blue Beetle again, whether it comes in the form of Blue Beetle 2 or wherever. It’s been really great to work alongside James [Gunn] and Peter [Safran], who have graciously folded us into their new universe even though it wasn’t part of what they came up with. It’s an honor. Now, where Blue Beetle heads in the future? I don’t know. But I can confidently say that we will see him soon.

Despite Blue Beetle‘s box office failure, Maridueña is set to return as the hero soon in the DCU, which is good, as the actor delivered a charismatic performance as Jaime Reyes. Gunn might have said that Blue Beetle is the DCU’s first character; however, the universe’s creative mastermind did not say the same for his movie. Gunn previously addressed the status of Blue Beetle by saying that all movies released before the DCU reboot are not canon to the universe. With Maridueña’s Jaime coming back, it remains to be seen what that means for his story and supporting cast.

Where Blue Beetle Could Show Up In James Gunn’s DC Universe

A Few DCU Projects Make Sense For Maridueña’s Return

Superman: Legacy will feature multiple DCU heroes, and given Maridueña’s tease that Blue Beetle will be seen soon, he could cameo in the movie. Given Blue Beetle‘s tease of Ted Kord and the DCU having announced a series for his best friend, Booster Gold, Jaime could appear in the series to interact with Booster Gold and possibly the Blue Beetle that came before him. Jaime was said to have graduated from Gotham University, so Blue Beetle could have a small role in the DCU’s Batman reboot — The Brave and the Bold. Sadly, a sequel to Blue Beetle seems unlikely.

Blue Beetle

Release Date

August 18, 2023

Director

Angel Manuel Soto

Cast

Xolo Mariduena , Susan Sarandon , Raoul Max Trujillo , Harvey Guillen , George Lopez , Elpidia Carrillo , Bruna Marquezine