Movies - Blue Beetle : discover the first images

By Mulder, 03 april 2023

Blue Beetle is the name of several characters from the DC Comics universe who have taken on the identity of superheroes. The original Blue Beetle was created by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and first appeared in Mystery Men Comics #1 in 1939. The most famous version of Blue Beetle is Ted Kord, created by Steve Ditko and first appearing in Captain Atom #83 in 1966. Ted Kord is a genius inventor and industrialist who dons a blue and black beetle suit to fight crime. He has no superhuman powers, but his suit is equipped with a variety of gadgets and weapons. He is also a member of the Justice League and has worked with other DC Comics heroes like Batman and Flash. Other characters have taken on the role of Blue Beetle over the years, including Jaime Reyes, a teenager who gained superhuman powers after discovering a mysterious alien artifact.

Warner Bros. Pictures today released the first images from Blue Beetle, the first-ever big-screen adaptation of the DC Universe superhero's adventures. Directed by Angel Manuel Soto, the film stars Xolo Maridueña in the title role and his alter ego, Jaime Reyes.

In February 2021, it was reported that a film about Blue Beetle was in development with writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer and director Angel Manuel Soto. The film would focus on the character of Jaime Reyes, the third character to take on the mantle of Blue Beetle in the comics. The film would be the first DC movie to feature a Latino lead character, with an emphasis on representation and inclusivity.

In addition to Maridueña (Cobra Kai), the film features Adriana Barraza (Rambo: Last Blood, Tthor) as Nana, Jaime's grandmother, Damían Alcázar (Narcos, Narcos: Mexico) as his father, Elpidia Carrillo (Mayans, M.C., the Predator saga) as his mother, Bruna Marquezine (Maldivas, God save the King) as Jenny Kord, Raoul Max Trujillo (the SICARIO diptych, Mayans, M.C.) as Carapax, Susan Sarandon (Monarch), Oscar-winning actress, as Victoria Kord and George Lopez (the Rio and Smurfs sagas) as Rudy, Jaime's uncle. In addition, Belissa Escobedo (American Horror Stories, Hocus pocus 2) plays Milagro, Jaime's sister, and Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) plays Dr. Sanchez.

Soto (Charm city kings, The farm) directs from a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Miss bala), based on characters from the DC universe. John Rickard and Zev Foreman produced the film while Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Garrett Grant are executive producing. The director is joined by cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski (Midsommar, Heredity), cinematographer John Billington (Bad Boys for Life), editor Craig Alpert (Deadpool 2), post-graphic supervisor Mayes C. Rubeo (Jojo Rabbit, Thor saga), visual effects supervisor Kelvin McIlwain (The Suicide Squad, Aquaman) and composer Bobby Krlic (Midsommar, Snowpiercer).

Blue Beetle will be released exclusively in theaters on August 16, 2023 in France. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Synopsis:
Jaime Reyes is a young man full of ambition. On his way home from college, the Scarab, an ancient relic of alien biotechnology, chooses to make him his host.  The latter is then clothed in an extraordinary armor that grants him extraordinary - and unpredictable - powers. Everything changes for Jaime who becomes the superhero Blue Beetle ...

Blue Beetle
Directed by Angel Manuel Soto
Written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer
Based on Characters from DC
Produced by Peter Safran, John Rickard
Starring Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez
Cinematography : Pawel Pogorzelski
Edited by Craig Alpert
Music by Bobby Krlic
Production companies : DC Studios, The Safran Company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date : August 16, 2023 (France) August 18, 2023 (United States)

(Source : press release)