One of the most interesting and unique projects in Warner Bros. and DC's pipeline is a feature film based on the Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle, who happens to be one of the most well-known Hispanic-ethnic superheroes across all superhero comic brands. The film, which is reportedly going to be released straight to HBO Max, will need a charismatic actor to bring Jaime Reyes to life and Warner Bros. appears to have found the perfect actor for the role: Xolo Maridueña.
In the comics, Jaime Reyes begins his story as a high school student in El Paso, Texas, who finds the blue scarab responsible for granting powers to the first two iterations of the Blue Beetle. The scarab attaches itself to Jaime's spine, officially making him the third Blue Beetle. The Jaime Reyes version of the superhero is a recurring one, appearing alongside Booster Gold as well as the Teen Titans in various comic stories. The character has also appeared in television shows such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold and video games such as Injustice 2.
The Wrap reports that Maridueña is currently in talks for the role of Jaime Reyes. The actor is notable for having main roles in the television shows Parenthood and the Karate Kid continuation Cobra Kai. Maridueña is also a voice actor and had a bit role in the Netflix series Cleopatra in Space. The young actor had already been a frequently suggested choice for Blue Beetle, but fans of Cobra Kai will undoubtedly be happy with the official confirmation of Warner Bros.'s interest in the actor.
Warner Bros. has chosen Charm City Kings director Angel Manuel Soto as the director of the film. Soto has also been chosen to direct an untitled Transformers film for Paramount Pictures, which is planning to release its seventh live-action Transformers film, Rise of the Beasts, in theaters next year. In addition to Soto, Warner Bros. has tapped Miss Bala screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer to pen the script for the Blue Beetle film. Not much else is known about the Blue Beetle film, as the project is in the early stages of its development.
The potential casting of Cobra Kai's Maridueña is an exciting development for the Blue Beetle film, as fans believe that he is a great choice for the role of Jaime Reyes. It will be interesting to see the actor create the first live-action version of Blue Beetle when Warner Bros. is ready to release the film on HBO Max.
Warner Bros. is planning many different film and television projects surrounding DC comics. These projects include DC's League of Super-Pets, The Batman, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Blue Beetle is currently in development.
Source: The Wrap