Xolo Maridueña Confirms Blue Beetle Return in Superman Sequel Man of Tomorrow

Xolo Maridueña will reprise his role as Blue Beetle in the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. The actor returns as Jaime Reyes, the character he first played in the 2023 film Blue Beetle, according to Deadline.

He joins a cast led by David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film, written and directed by James Gunn, is currently in production in Atlanta and is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027.

What is the story of Man of Tomorrow?

In the sequel, Superman is forced into an unlikely alliance with his nemesis, Lex Luthor, to face a larger cosmic threat. The super-intelligent villain Brainiac, played by Lars Eidinger, is part of the film. The plot brings together several heroes from the rebooted DC Universe.

What did James Gunn say about Blue Beetle?

Speaking on a podcast in 2023, Gunn officially confirmed the hero's place. "The first DCU character, for sure, Blue Beetle, and the first full DCU movie is ‘Superman,'" he said. This statement positioned Jaime Reyes as the foundational hero of Gunn's DC Universe.

Producers were impressed with Maridueña's performance in the solo film. "What I was most impressed by is his ability with both the comedic and the emotional material," Peter Safran told Variety. "He has all the skills." Safran added that it was "very evident that this is a star-making performance."

What's next for Blue Beetle?

Maridueña's commitment to the role extends beyond this cameo. In 2023, Gunn and Safran confirmed the actor was set to appear in upcoming DCU films. The actor himself expressed readiness for more. "Regardless of if we get 20 movies or if it’s just this one, I feel truly fulfilled," Maridueña said. "If we get to do another one, I’m so ready."

Production on Man of Tomorrow continues through the summer. The film represents a major step in building the interconnected DC Universe under Gunn's leadership.