Everything you need to know about the Blue Beetle movie (2024)

Blue Beetle brings a new DC superhero to the big screen this summer, and we've got the first trailer to whet your appetite.

The movie marks the first DC film to centre on a Latin superhero. Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña is in the lead role of Jaime Reyes, who ends up bestowed with superpowers when he's paired with an ancient relic of alien biotechnology.

It's also the penultimate Worlds of DC movie before the new era begins, but let's hope it's not the only time we see Blue Beetle and Jaime Reyes.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, though. Here's everything you need to know about Blue Beetle.

Blue Beetle release date: When is Blue Beetle released in cinemas?

Warner Bros has confirmed that Blue Beetle will open in cinemas on August 18.

The movie was originally earmarked as a straight-to-streaming release for HBO Max, but that plan changed in December 2021, and the movie is now getting a theatrical release (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Filming took place between May and July last year, at locations including Atlanta, Georgia, El Paso in Texas and Puerto Rico.

Susan Sarandon revealed on Instagram that she had finished filming her role as the movie's villain in late June, posting a photo from the location in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Blue Beetle trailer: Watch the Blue Beetle trailer here!

The first trailer for Blue Beetle was released on April 3, giving us the best look yet at the new superhero.

After it was first shown to the press, star Xolo Maridueña admitted (via CBR): "I've got the jitters. Every time I see the trailer, I get excited. To be able to show it to all of you, it's been a pleasure. It looks sick!"

He also talked about a moment in the trailer that shows his character Jamie standing no chance of hiding his superhero identity from his family.

"We see some of these other superheroes, who can hide from their family that they're a superhero," he said. "But [Jamie's] family is right there with him on that first transformation. To come through this journey together is something we haven't seen in superhero movies, and it's the beating heart of this movie."

If you missed it above, check the trailer out below:

Blue Beetle cast: Who will be in Blue Beetle?

Cobra Kai actor Xolo Maridueña was cast as Jaime Reyes, aka the Blue Beetle, in August 2021. A first-look image of him on set in his superhero costume was revealed last year.

Maridueña has previously spoken about how he won the role without having to audition.

"In the beginning, there was a bit of impostor syndrome. Like, 'Oh my gosh, how do they know? I haven't even read a word of the script! How can they be so sure?'" he said. "Everyone was so welcoming and instilled so much confidence in me through the filming of the movie."

Maridueña is joined on screen by:

• Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax the Indestructible Man
• George Lopez as Uncle Rudy Reyes
• Elpidia Carrillo as Rocio Reyes, Jaime's mother
• Damían Alcázar as Alberto Reyes, Jaime's father
• Belissa Escobedo as Milagros Reyes, Jaime's sister
• Adriana Barraza as Nana, Jaime's grandmother
• Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Jaime's love interest
• Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord
• Harvey Guillén as Dr Sanchez

Behind the scenes, Blue Beetle was directed by Angel Manuel Soto from a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer.

Blue Beetle plot: What will Blue Beetle be about?

Along with the first trailer, we got our first official synopsis for Blue Beetle, although it's pretty vague.

"Recent college grad Jaime 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," it reads.

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

Reyes isn't the first superhero to become Blue Beetle. In the comics, he's actually the third character to assume the mantle.

The first Blue Beetle was Dan Garret, introduced in comics in 1939. He was a police officer who fought crime after getting superpowers when he ingested Vitamin 2X. A newer version, introduced in 1964, turned Garrett into an archaeologist whose powers came from an ancient Egyptian scarab — which is closer to the more modern Blue Beetle.

The second Blue Beetle was Ted Kord, introduced in 1966. He was a student of Garrett's.

Jaime Reyes became the third incarnation in 2006.

Victoria Kord is the sister of former Blue Beetle Ted Kord — who in the comics could never get Garrett's scarab to work. Her character was recently introduced in DC's comic Blue Beetle: Graduation Day #2 as the CEO of Kord Industries, which makes alien-derived technology. We're guessing in the movie she'll want to get her hands on the Scarab at any cost.

Blue Beetle is out in cinemas on August 18, 2023.