With the release of The Flash just around the corner, the eyes of DC fans are beginning to turn to the next big release in the franchise, Blue Beetle. Xolo Mariduena's debut as Jaime Reyes will take place in August, and he continues to announce surprises in advance of his premiere.
Blue Beetle already has great stars in its cast in addition to the protagonist of Cobra Kai, such as Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Trujillo and Susan Sarandon. And now another big name joins the list.
The Hollywood Reporter informs that actress and singer Becky G (Power Rangers) will be part of the film giving the voice to Khaji-Da, the entity in charge of controlling the powerful beetle that gives Jaime his abilities.
Also known as Rebbeca Marie Gomez, the actress has participated in several tv and movie projects besides her career as a singer. As an important member of Mexican American culture, her involvement in the movie is more than relevant, considering the project seeks to give latino representation an important place within the superhero genre.
Mariduena is another big representative of the Latino ascending population in America, something that’s also very important when it comes to Jaime Reyes' story. That’s why he was such a good choice for the role, besides the popularity he earned by playing Miguel on the Karate Kid sequel series.
What to Expect from Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle will be an origin story for the character as he hasn't appeared before in live-action on the big screen. This is why, of the characters that have remained as part of the Snyderverse, he is the one who has the best chances of continuing in the future of the DCU.
Created by Fox Comics in 1939, the character had several versions before coming to DC, where he debuted as Ted Kord. Years later, the comic book company officially presented its version of the hero with Reyes, as part of the Teen Titans and later with his own story.
In the film, Jaime is a teenager attached to his family in search of his place in the world after finishing school. During a job interview, Jenny Kord hands him the beetle without him having any idea what it does. When she opens it, the beetle connects with her body, giving her a host of abilities and powers that she must learn to control while her family is hunted by Victoria Kord, who wants the artifact back.
The story will connect directly to the mythology of the character thanks to the Kord family, but it will mainly focus on Jaime’s story and his evolution from a lost teenager to one of the most important heroes of the recent years for DC Comics.
Blue Beetle hits theaters on August 18, and hopefully will be the first movie in a saga centered around the character if James Gunn thinks it’s worth including him in the future of the DCU.