Disney Set to Launch Inaugural ‘Created in L.A.’ Event, Hosted by Jon Youshaei 5 hours ago ‘Hotel Transylvania 5’ Sets October 2027 Release Date 24 hours ago Al Pacino to Serve as Lead Juror for Lee Strasberg Film Festival- Film News in Brief 1 day ago Xolo Maridueña is set to reprise his Blue Beetle role in the “Superman” sequel “Man of Tomorrow.” The film, currently in production, will be directed by James Gunn. Maridueña first portrayed the character in the 2023 film “Blue Beetle,” directed by Angel Manuel Soto. Maridueña played Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate who gains superpowers when an alien scarab latches on to him.
Related Stories 5 Promising TV Animation IPs Brought to Annecy Market From Korea's Gwangju 'Michael' Crosses $1 Billion, First Biopic to Surpass Coveted Box Office Milestone Speaking on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast , Gunn officially confirmed that Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes is the first character in the rebooted DCU. “The first DCU character, for sure, Blue Beetle, and the first full DCU movie is ‘Superman,'” he said when “Blue Beetle” released. It’s a historic role, as Blue Beetle was the first Latino superhero to lead a standalone film in the DC universe.
Popular on Variety “The only thing that is on my mind right now is just the fact that he’s Latino. I have so much pride in getting to be a part of this project with Angel, someone like him,” Maridueña said at the time. “I think it’s so important, and I don’t want to stand on the soapbox for too long but representation is so important.” As for his physical preparation, Maridueña bulked up to about 130 pounds, then added 25 to 30 pounds of muscle by lifting weights and doing martial arts.
“A lot of it was just eating the right amount,” he said. Back in 2023, Gunn and Peter Safran had committed to Maridueña as Blue Beetle for the foreseeable future, and confirmed that he was set to appear in upcoming films. “What I was most impressed by is his ability with both the comedic and the emotional material,” Safran told Variety .
“He has all the skills.” Safran explained that the role called for a deftness in “unbelievably funny physical comedy” as Jaime learns how to navigate his new superpowers, as well as a depth and gravitas since the character is driven by a desire to save his family. Maridueña nailed both. “It’s just very evident that this is a star-making performance,” Safran added.
Maridueña was thrilled at the prospect of continuing in the DCU. “Regardless of if we get 20 movies or if it’s just this one, I feel truly fulfilled,” he said. “If we get to do another one, I’m so ready — and shit, I’ll put on another 20 pounds and get even bigger.” As previously announced, David Corenswet will be returning as Superman in “Man of Tomorrow,” written and directed by Gunn.
In the sequel, Superman is forced to team up with his adversary Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) as they work to defeat an even bigger threat: the super-intelligent antagonist Brainiac (Lars Eidinger). “Man of Tomorrow” is due in theaters on July 9, 2027. Keanu Reeves Set to Star in New Lego Movie From ‘Toy Story 4’ Director Josh Cooley Keanu Reeves Seeks Leniency for Director Who Faces Years in Prison for Swindling Netflix Out of $11 Million Keanu Reeves to Voice Lead in Stop-Motion Samurai Movie ‘Hidari’ Keanu Reeves-Voiced Stop-Motion Samurai Animation ‘Hidari’ Steals the Show at Annecy: ‘Imagine ‘John Wick’ Set in Feudal Japan and Performed by Wooden Puppets on Steroids’ Director Carl Rinsch Sentenced to 30 Months in Netflix Fraud Case After Keanu Reeves and Attorneys Cite Mental Health Struggles Matthew Perry’s Assistant Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Prison Following Actor’s 2023 Overdose
