One of the last DCEU characters introduced, Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle, was actually the first DCU character. And now, in a report from The Wrap, it looks as if 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.
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 very well may be in Man of Tomorrow.
Nerdist Take: Here’s Why Blue Beetle in Man of Tomorrow Makes Sense
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 superteam, alongside characters like Guy Gardner and Mister Terrific. And, those characters obviously already have an association with Superman in the DCU. 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. Here’s hoping we see Blue Beetle soon in Man of Tomorrow.