DC Comics fans can breathe a sigh of relief for now. Despite the chaos happening at Warner Bros. Discovery, it looks like Blue Beetle is safe from getting axed from the release schedule like Batgirl did early last week.
According to insiders who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Blue Beetle, which stars Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai) in the title superhero role, will still hit theaters on August 18, 2023. Some wondered if the film would meet the same fate as Batgirl since it was originally slated to get released exclusively on HBO Max before getting greenlit for theaters.
Blue Beetle will be the first DC Comics superhero movie with a Latine lead. In the comics, the story follows a teenager from El Paso, Texas, named Jaime Reyes (Maridueña), who finds a mystical artifact that gives him superpowers.
Other Latine talent joining Maridueña are George Lopez (El Chicano), Elpidia Carrillo (Predator), Damián Alcázar (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian), Bruna Marquezine (Women in Love), Belissa Escobedo (American Horror Stories), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), and Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza (Babel).
With restructuring currently taking place at Warner Bros. Discovery, CEO David Zaslav said the studio is now focused on a “10-year plan” to bring DC superhero movies exclusively to theaters and suggested that Batgirl wasn’t ready for the big stage.
“We’re not going to launch a movie until it’s ready,” Zaslav said. “We’re not going to launch a movie to make a quarter, and we’re not going to put a movie out unless we believe in it.”
Another Latina-led film most are assuming will not move forward in production is Supergirl. Sasha Calle was cast in the role early last year and will get screen time in The Flash next summer.
Here’s hoping both Blue Beetle and Supergirl get the chance to shine.