Blue Beetle Director Clarifies James Gunn’s Involvement in DCU Movie

In a recent interview with Total Film, Blue Beetle director Angel Manuel Soto explained why DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran refrained themselves from getting too involved in the production of the upcoming superhero movie. He revealed that Gunn and Safran decided to let him and his team have creative freedom over Blue Beetle’s story because they were happy with what they were doing.

“The studio always, generally, has their hands on it,” Soto shared. “As far as the essence of the story, [James Gunn and Peter Safran] liked what we were doing and they respected the vision and what we were trying to do with the film. They really did appreciate the fresh take, the nostalgic factor of how we start the film by taking the audience to see the family and fall in love with them for a prologue-of-sorts.”

Gunn previously confirmed that Blue Beetle will officially be the first superhero of DC Studios’ revamped cinematic universe. Lead star Xolo Maridueña also revealed that he had already discussed his character’s future in the DC Universe with Gunn and Safran.

What to Expect in Blue Beetle?

“Jaime Reyes suddenly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology called the Scarab,” reads the film’s synopsis. “When the Scarab chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he’s bestowed with an incredible suit of armor that’s capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.”

The Blue Beetle movie is directed by Soto from a screenplay adapted by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. It is led by the Cobra Kai breakout Maridueña as he portrays the role of Mexican-American teenager Jaime Reyes. Joining him are Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Harvey Guillén, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adrianna Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, and Damián Alcázar, with Becky G as the voice of Khaji-Da/ Scarab

In the comics, Jaime Reyes was the third character in the comics to take on the mantle of the Blue Beetle, following Dan Garret and Ted Kord. His powers came from a Blue Beetle scarab that grafted itself to the base of Jaime’s spine, giving him a suit of extraterrestrial armor that can be modified to enhance his speed and strength, as well as create weapons, wings, and shields.