One of the last DCEU characters introduced, Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle, was actually the first DCU character. And now, Maridueña confirms that Blue Beetle is going to have his proper DCU introduction in the upcoming Man of Tomorrow, James Gunn’s sequel to Superman. This comes after a report last year that a Blue Beetle animated series set in the DCU, with Xolo Maridueña voicing Jaime Reyes again, was in its early stages of production. Will Blue Beetle be one of many new DCU heroes Gunn features in Man of Tomorrow? We absolutely could see that being the case. Here’s what the young actor said on the red carpet for Practical Magic 2:
I was in Japan with my friends; nobody knew anything. And I just see, like the Bat-phone, my phone rings [and it’s] James Gunn. All my friends look at me, and I had to leave the room. I came back, and I was like, ‘Off the record, don’t tell anyone, but we’re coming back,’ and I’m so excited for people to see where Blue Beetle ends up.
The 2023 Blue Beetle film was an adaptation of the 2000s incarnation of the DC Comics hero. Xolo Maridueña portrayed Jaime Reyes, a Mexican-American teenager who comes across an alien scarab. The scarab, which goes by the name Khaji da, attaches to his body, making him a mash-up between Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Green Lantern, with just a dash of Batman Beyond. The film, directed by Angel Manuel Soto, floundered at the box office despite receiving many positive reviews. However, it became a hit when streaming on HBO Max. James Gunn announced his love for the Blue Beetle film very early on, and revealed that Blue Beetle would crossover into the DCU, much as Peacemaker did. Now we know Blue Beetle’s arrival will happen in Man of Tomorrow.
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In the comics, Blue Beetle (or a version of Blue Beetle) has a long association with the Justice League International, a team that Gunn’s Justice Gang largely resembles. We could easily see him being a part of Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gang, alongside characters like Guy Gardner and Mister Terrific. And those characters obviously already have an association with Superman in the DCU. Along with Guy, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Metamorpho, Lanterns’ Aaron Pierre is also joining as Green Lantern John Stewart. This Justice Gang is looking more and more like a Justice League.
We’re glad that Xolo Maridueña’s version of the character isn’t discarded simply because his movie flopped financially. And we’re equally glad that Gunn isn’t “punishing” Milly Alcock, who also returns as Supergirl in Man of Tomorrow. Good casting is good casting, and it feels like Gunn knows that. And we absolutely agree.
Originally published July 14, 2026