Will Blue Beetle Be Part of the New DCU? James Gunn Responds

Although the new DCU will officially kick off in 2025 with Superman: Legacy, Blue Beetle might have a bright future within the franchise. With The Flash coming to theaters later this week, the first phase of the new canon for the Warner Bros. Discovery franchise seems closer than ever, but it could actually be introducing its first character even sooner than expected.

While speaking to former Smallville star Michael Rosenbaum on his podcast Inside of You, James Gunn gave a clear answer about the future of Jaime Reyes, since Blue Beetle was originally made under the old administration of the company:

“The first DCU character for sure is Blue Beetle, and the first DCU movie is Superman [Legacy].”

But, what does this mean? What Gunn is trying to say is that since the upcoming movie is an origin story for the character and since he hasn’t appeared before, there are no real connections to the past or the future stories of the DCU. While Superman: Legacy is the first original movie planned exclusively for the new canon.

Superman: Legacy presented its first script draft a few weeks ago, while casting for the main roles for the movie have already begun. So, even though the film will arrive in 2025, news about it might be coming really soon. In fact, rumor has it that the revelation of the new Man of Steel will take place during San Diego Comic Con in July.

Related: James Gunn Declares Michael Rosenbaum as the Best Lex Luthor

What to Expect from Blue Beetle

After earning popularity by playing Miguel on Cobra Kai, Xolo Mariduena takes his big chance at superhero genre in Blue Beetle. Helmed by Angel Manuel Soto, the movie seeks not only to present the character to a bigger audience, it will also celebrate Latinamerican culture with a story that centers on family.

In the film, Jaime Reyes is a young boy looking to find his place in the world after finishing school. While trying to get a job, he ends up at Kord Industries, a girl delivers to him an ancient device filled with power in the shape of a beetle.

The magic inside the object activates once Jaime is back at home, and he’s suddenly suited up with a powerful armor that gives him amazing abilities. While trying to control them, Jaime will have to protect his family from Victoria Kord, who’s trying to get the device back.

Blue Beetle also stars Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, and Becky G. The movie hits theaters on August 18.

Created in 1940 by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, Blue Beetle’s first identity was Dan Garrett, who originally acquired his superpowers thanks to some special vitamins. The second version of the character, Ted Kord, was the one DC Comics bought in 1983, while in 2006 they introduced their first original iteration of the character with Jaime Reyes, becoming the first Latino superhero of the company.