Blue Beetle Trailer: Will DC’s Latino Superhero Make a Surprise Movie?

DC to a Latin tune! During Shazam! The Rage of the Gods just hit our theaters, and with The Flash and Aquaman 2 closing out the upcoming ex-DCEU that James Gunn and Peter Safran are reshaping for 2025, we have to rely on another sane one: Blue. Brother.

The first Latino superhero to shine in cinema (which he was almost deprived of because it was originally intended for the HBO Max platform), he will be in our theaters on August 16. And reveals both his tone and character in his trailer.

Although the Blue Beetle was created in 1939, several characters have assumed his identity over the years. The film does not follow the first of them, Ted Kord (but the evil Victoria Kord, played by Susan Sarandon, could be the name of his sister), but Jaime Reyes.

A fan of Batman (who plays beautifully at the end of the trailer), this student born on paper in 2005 is transformed when he comes into contact with a blue beetle-shaped artifact and must learn to master his powers. .

A pure origin story that, like Marvel’s recent Spider-Man, should mix action, humor and an origin story with a larger family element. And we owe it to Angel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings), who goes into the depths of blockbusters Xolo Mariduena (Miguel in the Cobra Kai series), Jaime’s translator.

And while the actor and director talked about the project in our microphone, keep in mind that Sharon Stone, who was supposed to lend her qualities to the villain, is no longer in the game, replaced by Susan Sarandon.

AlloCiné: The trailer just came out, how is it knowing that the public will discover this new movie with this new type of superhero?

Angel Manuel Soto : It’s great to finally show our hard work to the public. We worked very hard on this film. Glad I got to the end of this challenge. The idea was to be really authentic with this Latin flavor film. Hence the cast of actors of Latin American descent, through several generations of immigrants to the United States. Xolo, for example, was born in the United States, but his parents are Mexican and Cuban. We also have Mexican stars like Adriana Barraza and Damian Alcázar. I wanted to pay homage to the Latin American heritage that is now part of the landscape of the United States.

Xolo Mariduena : It makes me nervous because you never know how the audience will react. At the same time, I’m very proud of this movie and what we did with Blue Beetle. It’s surreal to see yourself on screen as this character. It’s a childhood dream that has finally come true. and the first Latino superhero .

The setting itself is a character, like Gotham City for Batman or Metropolis for Superman.

How does it feel to become a superhero?

Xolo Mariduena: What’s different about this superhero is that he’s a family superhero. Usually, superheroes are in hiding and don’t want their families to interfere. But with the Blue Beetle, right from the start, Jaime Reyes’ family will see it transform. So the approach is different from other films of this genre. There is a message of family unity that together we can overcome any challenge.

It was quite natural for me to step into the role of a superhero thanks to the support of this family that my character has. Besides being Latino, I believe all cultures need this family ecosystem. Anyone can identify with these characters, even if they are Latinos.

The problems they face are problems that each of us face in our lives, regardless of our cultural heritage. I believe that this film, even if it has a sci-fi side that we will no doubt see in the sequels, remains grounded in reality and the themes are relevant.

Likewise, Palmera City, the setting, is a character in itself, like Gotham City is for Batman or Metropolis is for Superman. It was a unique experience to develop in a world that reflects the identity of Jamie, aka Blue Beetle.

Even if it has a Latin flavor, isn’t the film for everyone, whatever their culture, country of origin?

Angel Manuel Soto: Although he is Latino, Jamie is really young, like every young man in the world, with the same dreams, the same passions, the same doubts, the same problems. The Blue Beetle is also a film that shows that living together can exist. Coexistence is a necessity today. We all have the same laughs and the same tears, regardless of our cultural background or the country we live in.

You shot the film in IMAX, why that choice?

Angel Manuel Soto: This is a cinema necessity! It’s a very impressive format, you feel completely in the movie when you watch Blue Beetle in IMAX. It is a gigantic experience to watch a film like this. It is almost a spiritual experience when you watch a film in this format, you become one with the screen, with our production.

It’s such a physical connection, so unique and intense. Even more can be identified with the character of the blue beetle. It’s like we put on this superhero costume ourselves and become this extraordinary hero.

Get ready for a new type of super hero

Were you inspired by the various publications for the Blue Beetle movie?

Angel Manuel Soto: Absolutely! Be it with her costumes or her participation in different stories. It’s hard to focus on just one of these versions. We also decided to create our own world, beyond anything that had been done. We even looked at what was done in the video game “Injustice 2” and that also influenced the development of our film. Get ready for a new kind of super hero with Blue Beetle!

Interview by Emmanuel Iteri in Los Angeles, April 2, 2023