DCEU Hero Lead Actor Breaks Silence On New Upcoming DC Universe TV Show

As a Blue Beetle TV show is happening with DC Studios, the leading star finally elaborates on the upcoming DC Universe spinoff. DC Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery are actively working on James Gunn’s DC Universe, which will replace the former DCEU franchise on both the big and small screens. However, a few characters from the old DC regime will be making their way over to the DC Universe, including Jaime Reyes, a.k.a. Blue Beetle, who made his cinematic debut in 2023.

While Gunn and DC Studios haven’t publicly talked about it yet, a Blue Beetle animated show is in development, serving as a continuation of the 2023 movie. Following the initial report, Blue Beetle’s Xolo Maridueña finally opened up more about the exciting news on the latest episode of the Lone Lobos with Xolo Maridueña and Jacob Bertrand podcast that he runs with his Cobra Kai co-star Jacob Bertrand. To begin with, Maridueña expanded on when he was first approached about Blue Beetle under DC Studios, as he shared the following:

Xolo Maridueña: They told me about this project early into us doing this year of Cobra Kai, very early on, I was like, ‘So I think it should be this, this, this, and this,’ and they’re like, ‘Yeah!’ Blue Beetle is back, I am so excited! I think there is an opportunity on each platform to really make something shine. Like in a movie, you had the opportunity to do the movie stuff. In a TV show, you have the chance to do long format. In an animated show, the fact that this kid likes anime and can make whatever freaking weapon he wants and has this suit that lights up – if they do the suit right in animated, I wonder if it’s going to look exactly like the movie suit or if it’s going to look a little different or if it’s going to look a little bit, depending on what the art style is, if it’s going to look a little bit different.

During the episode, Bertrand passionately suggested to Maridueña to advise the Blue Beetle creative team to include anime references. While Maridueña seemed hopeful about the prospect, he also teased the possibility of the Blue Beetle movie cast members returning to voice their characters, stating the following:

Xolo Maridueña: Bro, I hope so; there were in the movie, yeah, if this is a continuation… I’m excited, I think everyone… I don’t know who’s coming back [moves eyes back and forth comedically.] It depends, I don’t know what the story is going to be.

Jacob Bertrand: They got to get George Lopez back.

Xolo Maridueña: Oh, he’s definitely coming back, are you kidding me? He’s forcing his way back. [Said jokingly]

Why A Blue Beetle Animated Series Is Perfect For James Gunn’s DC Universe

While time will tell when DC Studios will speak more about Blue Beetle, the prospect of an animated show is one of the best things that could happen to Maridueña’s superhero. Even though the live-action film struggled financially – partially due to 2023’s Hollywood strikes, which prevented the cast from being able to promote it – the Blue Beetle movie was still well received as the general audience got introduced to the DC hero’s mythology. With the option for live-action appearances later on, a Blue Beetle animated show can take Jaime’s story in the DC Universe to a higher level.

With DC Studios having the format where actors who are part of the DC Universe TV shows and movies play their characters in live-action and animation, Blue Beetle can dig more into the lore and continue developing Jaime before potentially returning to live-action. Producing a Blue Beetle show in animated form is also more cost-effective, especially for Warner Bros. Discovery, as they have been focusing the last few years on their financial strategies. However, depending on the animation style, Blue Beetle could be on the same level as other animated properties like X-Men ’97, My Adventures With Superman, Invincible, and Arcane.

It’s key to remember some of Blue Beetle’s most prominent media appearances have been through animation, including Young Justice, allowing DC Studios to lean into a medium Jaime already benefits from as they bring him into the DC Universe. It will be interesting to see what DC Universe characters could appear in Blue Beetle, as Gunn has already announced a lot of heroes and villains joining the franchise. Given that the Blue Beetle animated show has been in the works for some time, hopefully more news regarding the series is on its way over the next few months.

Blue Beetle

Blue Beetle is a superhero-action film that follows college graduate Jaime Reyes as he inherits the powers of a mysterious alien relic known as the Scarab, bestowing him with a powerful exosuit that gives him unearthly capabilities. Now an inheritor of a power he isn’t sure he deserves, Jaime will become a hero to protect the ones he loves.

Director

Angel Manuel Soto

Release Date

August 18, 2023

Studio(s)

DC Studios , Safran Company

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer

Cast

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

Runtime

127 Minutes

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Source: Lone Lobos with Xolo Maridueña and Jacob Bertrand/YouTube