This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist.
With new leadership comes changes, and fans are left wondering whether Jaime Reyes will move forward as Blue Beetle in the DCU. Since James Gunn took over alongside Peter Safran as co-chairmen and co-CEO’s of the new DC Studios, rumors surrounding the new universe have run rampant. One constant among all the chaos has been James Gunn publicly confirming and denying speculations about the reboot. Despite his candor, it’s still a confusing journey trying to figure out whether Blue Beetle is part of the DCU.
Opinions differ on how to execute a reboot of the DC Universe, but James Gunn and Peter Safran are the only ones who know the master plan. Gunn previously referred to Superman: Legacy as “the true beginning of the DCU” in a video that announced Chapter 1 of DC Studios’ plans for the future. However, there’s still reason to believe the Blue Beetle himself, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña), could play a big role in the future regardless of whether the Angel Manuel Soto-directed film is a part of the new DC.
Is the character Blue Beetle in the DCU?
While scoopers and trades speculate on the future of the DCU, the complete truth will remain a secret until it comes from James Gunn. He has previously given mixed messages about which characters will survive the reboot and remain in the new DCU. However, he recently offered some clarity on whether the first Latino hero to lead a live-action comic book movie will be a part of the future.
Gunn recently shared in an Instagram post that he can’t wait for audiences to meet Jaime Reyes, who will be “an amazing part of the DCU going forward”. This is phenomenal news for fans of both the character and the film. It looks as though Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle in the DCU is a reality.
Is the film Blue Beetle part of the DCU?
While Jaime Reyes’ character will return in the DCU, it’s unclear whether the film is a part of the universe, or if this specific story won’t be canon to the reset. Blue Beetle is now playing in theaters, but confirmation on if the origin is fully part of the DCU will have to wait until future projects following Superman: Legacy reference the events of the film.
Regardless of whether the story is specifically part of the new universe, viewers need not worry about potential threads and world-building from the film being discontinued. Unlike previous DC projects like The Flash and Black Adam, Blue Beetle director Angel Manuel Soto recently confirmed with ComicBook’s Brandon Davis that the plan was to make the origin a stand-alone film right off the bat.
Fans can rest easy knowing whether this film is referenced in the future, Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes will return and Blue Beetle in the DCU is confirmed. It’s fair to be skeptical about the looming DCU reboot set to launch in 2025, but given James Gunn’s success with ensemble chracters like the Guardians of the Galaxy, he surely has a solid plan to usher in an exciting new era for DC.
Stay up to date with all the latest news on Blue Beetle and all the upcoming DC films on the Agents of Fandom socials!
