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.
Blue Beetle marks the birth of the new DCU regime under the leadership of the brilliant James Gunn and Peter Safran. After the DC Universe underwent a reset during the events of The Flash, all events post-Flash are now considered canon for the new story.
The filmed debuted with an impressive 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, which is a breath of fresh air compared to the lackluster figures of its predecessors. While the story of Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) is wholesome, some movie-goers might not have noticed the cool Blue Beetle easter eggs and DC references included. Let’s delve into some of the awesome nuggets you may have missed!
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Blue Beetle*
Palmera City is a technological hub
Where Superman has Metropolis and The Flash has Central City, Blue Beetle has Palmera City, as mentioned by Uncle Rudy (George Lopez). The city’s first comic appearance comes in Blue Beetle: Graduation Day #2 released in February 2023, and is located in Texas. The film changes that location to Miami, as there are a few coastal shots scattered throughout. The city is home to many technological innovators such as KORD Industries.
LexCorp in Palmera City
Blue Beetle contains many landscape shots of the city. Keen observers would have noticed LexCorp etched onto the side of one of the many skyscrapers. The villainous mastermind may be planning his next move while sitting on his throne in Metropolis, but it’s common knowledge that LexCorp is a global consortium. This may be one to watch for the future, as Lex Luthor is always on the lookout for technological advancements.
KORD Industries
The live action DCEU existed for ten years and viewers were always fed mainstream heroes with their iconic companies and locations. Blue Beetle is the birth of the DCU, and it’s fitting that it introduces a company that’s flown under the radar for many years.
KORD Industries is named after its owner, Ted Kord, but is actually an acronym that stands for Kord Omniversal Research and Development Industries. The company is known to push the boundaries for innovation in technology. This is one of the Blue Beetle easter eggs that will evolve into much more as it’s certainly the first of many appearances in the DCU.
Bruce Wayne acquires a dating app?
After the scarab takes over Jaime’s body for the first time, he makes his way back to the Reyes household. As he lays in the living room, there is a Spanish news roundup playing on the TV in the background. The screen shows that billionaire-philanthropist, Bruce Wayne, has acquired a dating app. In another scene, Uncle Rudy mentions that Batman is a fascist. With Batman: The Brave and The Bold on the slate for the first chapter of the DCU, it’s no surprise to know that Bruce Wayne already exists in this universe.
The Beetle’s Nest
Long time DC fans would love to venture into the Kord Estate for the very first time, similar to when Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) brings Jaime and Uncle Rudy to The Beetle’s Nest. The Nest is similar to Batman’s Batcave. It’s where Ted Kord keeps all of his costumes, gadgets and his computer mainframe.
Blue Beetle’s suits
While exploring The Beetle Nest, the trio see Ted Kord’s suits as the second Blue Beetle, along with as Dan Garrett’s as the first. The scarab initially bonds with Dan Garrett and uses him as a host. Kord then innovates his own take on the Blue Beetle with technology and gadgets that grant him the same abilities. The explanation of the classical heroes is arguably one of the best Blue Beetle easter eggs, as they have made many long time fans incredibly happy.
“Get over here!”
In the battle during the final act, Blue Beetle is fighting Carapax (Raoul Trujillo). The hero is able to create any weapon imaginable, and one of the weapons is a rope/leash, which he uses to catch Carapax and drag the villain toward him. The weapon isn’t the easter egg here, but what Blue Beetle says during this act of aggression.
While pulling Carapax, he yells “Get over here!”. This is the infamous phrase of Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. DC and Mortal Kombat characters have shared a roof before in video games developed by NetherRealm Studios.
Which Blue Beetle easter eggs did you find?
As DC Studios ventures out to start a new journey, scattering these DC Comics references throughout the movie to please long-time Blue Beetle fans is a really nice touch.
Did you notice any Blue Beetle easter eggs not mentioned above? Let us know on the Agents of Fandom socials, and keep it locked for more DCU news!
