Last week we finally got our first look at Angel Manuel Soto’s Blue Beetle with the films blockbuster first trailer. Now we’re hearing from Jaime Reyes himself, Xolo Maridueña, on his experience of becoming the first Blue Beetle on the silver screen.
At a special trailer launch event in Los Angeles, Maridueña and Soto sat down with members of the press to discuss finally bringing the character to the big screen. Talking with host Tiffany Smith, Maridueña shared his excitement at how Blue Beetle is different to other comic book movies, particularly in its representation of family.
“It’s kind of funny, we see some of these other superheroes who are able to hide from their family the that fact they’re superhero. But as you guys saw in the trailer, his family is right there for that first transformation. To come through this journey together is it something that I think you know we haven’t seen before in superhero movies and that that really is the beating heart of this movie.”
In case you missed it, check out the film’s trailer in the player below:
Speaking of the film’s huge action and scope Maridueña also discussed on how Jaime’s Latino roots would impact on the story:
“I think whether or not you’re Latino it transcends ethnicity. It transcends colour of skin. That’s something we can all relate from and I think that’s really been the most exciting part. Although it is undeniably or un-apologetically Latino everyone will understand Milagro. Everyone understands Jaime because there are people who we’ve interacted with in our daily life and and the problems that they’re facing are problems that we know.”
Finally, the Cobra Kai actor touched on how future Blue Beetle films may build on those ideals:
“Maybe there’ll be room for the second or third one to do the crazy alien stuff. But the stuff that you see in this movie, it’s all very tangible and it feels rooted in today’s world. Then it’s 110%, it’s the world that we know plus a little bit extra magic.”
Starring alongside Maridueña are Adriana Barraza as Jaime’s grandmother, Nana, Damían Alcázar as his father, Elpidia Carrillo as his mother, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax, with Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, and George Lopez as Jaime’s Uncle Rudy. The film also stars Belissa Escobedo as Jaime’s sister, Milagro, and Harvey Guillén as Dr. Sanchez.
Blue Beetle comes exclusively to cinemas on August 18, 2023.
