Summary

Blue Beetle is a significant milestone for Latino representation in the superhero genre, with Jaime Reyes being the first Latino superhero in James Gunn’s DC Universe. Director Ángel Manuel Soto aims to authentically portray Jaime’s Latino culture and heritage, recognizing the importance of representing Latino stories and breaking stereotypes. The film places a strong emphasis on the essence of Jaime’s story, rooted in his family’s heritage, and seeks to make the Latino audience feel represented.

DC character Blue Beetle is finally coming to theaters this week, marking the long-awaited cinematographic debut of Latino superhero Jaime Reyes, played by Cobra Kai star Xolo Mariduena. The movie, which was initially going to be released on Max alongside Leslie Grace’s Batgirl, is part of the past administration behind all DC projects coming from Warner Bros Pictures. Now, Blue Beetle is coming out in the middle of the many changes being implemented by James Gunn and Peter Safran to the DC franchise in order to build a new DC Universe. Changes that will leave most of the old characters behind.

So, one of the most important things Blue Beetle’s fans are asking on social media nowadays is how the popular young hero will fit into the new storytelling, and the role he’ll play in the future of the franchise. In an interview with Discussing Film, director Ángel Manuel Soto shared his hopes for the continuation of Jaime’s story, and how the fact that he represents the Latino culture will play a central part on the next chapters of the DCU:

“Yes, we chose the best hits from the different comics and the possibilities for Jaime’s adventures and the possible interactions he can have with other superheroes are endless. However, for us to see that he is Latino, that his family is Latino, that his culture is part of his essence, and for him to be the first superhero of James Gunn’s universe – for me, that is a milestone of representation. Because for the first time, we have been able to see ourselves as the superheroes of our stories and we are no longer the villains in the stories of others. Jaime Reyes has a lot more stories to tell. And not only him! I think Blue Beetle can open doors for other Latino superheroes and superheroes of other nationalities to play a more prominent role [in the DCU]. But, most of all, for Latino stories to be told by Latinos.”

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Angel Manuel Soto on the Challenges Behind Portraying Latino Culture in Blue Beetle
Warner Bros. Pictures

Jaime Reyes’ Latino roots are not only an important part of the movie. Everything related to his family’s inheritance is the main essence of the story, so the director had to make sure to be able to honor that culture while also showing the fun parts that would make the Latino audience feel represented by the film and the Reyes family.

In the interview, Soto spoke about how having a Latino team working with him made things so much easier for him and the story he wanted to tell:

“Our energy behind it was trying to be as honest and authentic as we could to our own experiences. We know that there have been a lot of attempts and there have also been, like you say, a lot of stereotypes. Most of them truly happen because there are no Latinos behind the creation of these worlds. We were lucky to have Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer writing the script. He comes from Queretaro, Mexico and the Reyes family dynamic on-screen is an experience that’s very close to his heart.”

Along with Mariduena, Blue Beetle also stars Susan Sarandon as the main villain, Bruna Marquezine, George Lopez, Becky G, Damian Alcazar, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, and Raoul Trujillo.

Blue Beetle is scheduled to be released in the United States on August 18, 2023.