As James Gunn and Peter Safran took over the helm at DC Studios, they helped to usher in a new day for DC Comics which has meant a lot of changes.
In looking to start a new chapter for DC Comics by creating a new shared universe that hopes to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the book must close on the DCEU. With the DECU coming to an end, this has meant the end of many amazing actors’ runs within the franchise as the iconic characters they brought to life within various DCEU films.
As hard as it has been to accept the end of this era – after all the DCEU did manage to assemble some incredible performers such as Gal Gadot in the role of Wonder Woman — we must accept that to start fresh change has to be made. And change has indeed been coming with several new actors coming in to take over the roles of iconic DC Comics heroes who once graced the screen in the DCEU and will now be founding members of the new DC Universe.
However, while there have been a lot of changes, there have been a few lucky individuals who are getting the chance to transition from the DCEU into the DCU. Sean Gunn, John Cena, and Viola Davis are just a few individuals who are returning to the DCU to reprise the characters they originated in the DCEU era, and it seems there is another name we can add to that list!
Xolo Maridueña is returning as Blue Beetle for a new TV show
Last August, Xolo Maridueña had the chance to make his way debut as DC’s newest hero, Blue Beetle, bringing the character to the big screen for the first time.
Sadly, Blue Beetle was set up for failure as the film was released during the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strikes which meant the cast and creative team were unable to promote the film at all. And it’s release also came at a time when DC fans were hesitant to give the film a chance knowing that it would likely go nowhere with the DCEU ending. This led to a less-than-stellar performance at the box office which was a true shame as the film was honestly one of the best projects DC had released!
Maridueña was brilliant in the title role and the film was so full of heart, and those who gave the film a chance were left wanting more. It seemed like we wouldn’t get the chance to see more of the character amid the changes coming with the launch of the DCU and the film’s box office struggles, but it seems we haven’t seen the last of Maridueña’s Jamie Reyes just yet.
A new Blue Beetle anime series is in the works and it has now been confirmed that Maridueña will be reprising the role of the title character for the series.
“There’s only one Blue Beetle. I’m so excited to get to continue the story of Jaime is an honor and I just can’t wait to see where the heck he goes. It’s still so early but I just know it’s about to be the next craziest anime,” Maridueña revealed in a new interview with Hablemos de Cine.
Little is known about the project at the moment but Deadline has reported that “Angel Manuel Soto and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, director and screenwriter of the 2023 film, respectively, will executive produce alongside John Rikard who served in the same capacity on the film.” Now with Maridueña attached to voice the title character, it seems certain the show will be a continuation of some sort to the film and could also pave the way for the character to eventually return in the live-action corner of the DCU.
After all, we know the plan is for some of the animated series to be tied into the DCU timeline such as Creature Commandos, so it would make sense for this Blue Beetle series to help bridge the gap and lay the groundwork for Maridueña to revisit the character. And that’s honestly what we hope to see as he deserves to suit up again as Blue Beetle in the world Gunn is building!