‘Blue Beetle’ Animated Series in the Works

The aim is to take the family of characters from the 2023 superhero outing and spin a new story that can work with the new studio regime’s universe.

DC Comics' Blue Beetle. Photo courtesy of DC Comics.

Preview:

DC Studios has a ‘Blue Beetle’ series in the works.
Miguel Puga and Cristian Martinez are developing the show.
The movie’s cast may return.

While it looked like Latino superhero tale ‘Blue Beetle’ might have arrived at exactly the wrong time –– just as the DC movie universe overseen by Zack Snyder was being swept aside for the new regime run by James Gunn and Peter Safran of the rechristened DC Studios –– there was chatter at the time (including from Gunn) that it might not be the last we’d see of Jaime Reyes, the character played on screen by ‘Cobra Kai’s Xolo Maridueña.

And indeed, that appears to be true, since Deadline reports that an animated series based on the Reyes character and his bonded armor is now in the works.

Blue Beetle

"Jaime Reyes is a superhero whether he likes it or not."

PG-132 hr 8 minAug 18th, 2023

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Watch Blue Beetle Online

What’s the story of ‘Blue Beetle’?

Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure Blue Beetle,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone/SMPSP/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

Recent college grad Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab.

When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Blue Beetle.

Originally created by artist Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and writer Will Eisner for Fox Comics' ‘Mystery Men’ Comics in 1939, Blue Beetle was introduced as Dan Garret, a vigilante who fought crime using powers gained from chemical compound Vitamin 2-X, though that origin was later retconned to an archeologist with a suit and abilities derived from the alien Khaji Da scarab living weapon. He was succeeded by tech whizz Ted Kord, first appearing in Charlton Comics (which bought Fox and was itself later taken over by DC).

The Jaime Reyes version, a creation of Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner for 2006’s ‘Infinite Crisis Issue 5, spawned a titular title two months later in May of that year. In his story, Reyes discovered the Blue Beetle scarab on the way home from school with two of his best friends Paco and Brenda, half-buried in a disused lot. Reyes took the scarab home, curious as to what it might be. That night, the scarab came alive, and grafted itself to the base of Jaime’s spine, and provided him with a suit of extraterrestrial armor, which can be modified to enhance his speed and strength, as well as to create weapons, wings, and shields.

Who else was in ‘Blue Beetle’?

Elpida Carrillo as Rocio, George Lopez as Uncle Rudy, Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes, Melissa Escobedo as Milagro and Damian Alcazar as Alberto in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Blue Beetle,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone/SMPSP/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

The cast also featured George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Belissa Escobedo, Bruna Marquezine, Susan Sarandon and ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ stalwart Harvey Guillén.

While there is no confirmed casting yet, Deadline’s story mentions that overtures have been made to the main cast from the movie, and all seem willing –– assuming contracts are signed –– to return. And there is the possibility that a successful run could see a live-action return to the big screen for Maridueña and co.

Who is working on the new ‘Blue Beetle’ show?

Director Ángel Manuel Soto at a 'Blue Beetle' Fan Screening in London.

Miguel Puga, a veteran of ‘The Casagrandes’ and ‘The Loud House’ is aboard as showrunner and director, while ‘Good Trouble’s Cristian Martinez will be one of the key writers.

‘Blue Beetle’ movie director Angel Manuel Soto and writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer will serve as executive producers.

This new show will build on the movie, but tell its own story, fitting in with Gunn’s vision for DC going forward as opposed to directly continuing what was begun in the screenplay.

Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Blue Beetle,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.