Xolo Maridueña, the star of the 2023 comic-book film Blue Beetle, has admitted he was “totally terrified” that his time as the superhero had come to an end before learning that DC Studios co-head James Gunn genuinely appreciated the first movie. In a recent interview, Maridueña detailed his anxiety about the character’s future after the studio underwent a major creative overhaul, only to receive reassurance from the new leadership that his take on Jaime Reyes had landed well.
“I was totally terrified when I heard about the changes at DC,” Maridueña said, explaining that the shift in direction made him fear that the film’s standalone story would be the last fans saw of his character. The actor, who starred as the first live-action Blue Beetle, said he had poured everything into the role and was bracing for the possibility that the project would be treated as a one-off. However, he explained that a conversation with James Gunn changed his perspective.
“James Gunn appreciated what we made in the first movie,” Maridueña said. “He didn’t dismiss it. He understood that there was real heart in it. That meant a lot.” The actor shared that Gunn’s acknowledgment of the original film’s earnest tone came as a relief, particularly given the uncertainty swirling around the DC universe at the time. The encounter, Maridueña noted, gave him fresh hope that the character might return in some form, though he was careful not to confirm any specific plans.
Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle was released on August 16, 2023, with a runtime of 128 minutes. The film follows recent college graduate Jaime Reyes, who returns to his childhood home with big aspirations, only to discover that life has changed in ways he didn’t expect. When he comes into possession of an ancient alien relic known as the Scarab, he is thrust into a role far bigger than he ever imagined, becoming the superhero Blue Beetle. The movie blends action, science fiction, and adventure, telling a story rooted in family, identity, and the pressure of living up to unexpected responsibility.
Maridueña led the cast as Jaime Reyes, with Bruna Marquezine playing Jenny Kord and Susan Sarandon portraying the antagonist Victoria Kord. Raoul Max Trujillo appeared as Carapax, while Belissa Escobedo, Damián Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, and George López filled out the Reyes family, grounding the sci-fi spectacle in warm, relatable dynamics. The ensemble was widely praised for its chemistry, with many critics singling out the family scenes as the emotional core of the film.
The movie’s reception reflected a generally positive if not overwhelming response from audiences and critics alike. On TMDb, Blue Beetle holds a rating of 6.619 out of 10, a solid score that suggests a moderate but appreciative viewership. While it did not dominate the global box office, the film built a dedicated fanbase, particularly among those who valued its Latino representation and its focus on a working-class family navigating extraordinary circumstances. The story’s emphasis on home, loyalty, and the fear of not measuring up resonated with many who saw themselves in Jaime’s journey.
For Maridueña, the experience of making Blue Beetle went beyond the usual superhero movie ride. He has spoken before about the significance of playing a character with Mexican-American roots, and in his latest remarks, he underscored how important it was to him that Gunn understood the film’s cultural and emotional weight. “We were telling a story about a family, about community, about being scared of the future,” Maridueña said. “I wanted that to matter.” He added that Gunn’s willingness to engage with those themes, rather than simply viewing the movie as a piece of franchise infrastructure, made a lasting impression on him.
The actor’s comments come at a time when the future of the DC film slate remains a topic of intense speculation. Under Gunn and his co-CEO Peter Safran, the studio has outlined a new multi-year plan for its cinematic universe, and fans have been eager to learn which characters will carry forward. Blue Beetle initially seemed like an outlier, produced before the new leadership fully took control, but Maridueña’s remarks suggest that the character has not been forgotten. Whether that means a sequel, a supporting role elsewhere, or something else entirely, the actor did not say, but his tone was noticeably more optimistic than before.
He also reflected on the fear itself, saying that the anxiety he felt came from a place of deep attachment. “I was scared because I cared,” Maridueña said. “You don’t want to let go of something that meant so much to you.” He described the months after the film’s release as a period of waiting and wondering, unsure if he would ever get the call to suit up again. When that call eventually came, he said, the conversation with Gunn put his mind at ease.
For now, audiences are left to wonder what comes next for Blue Beetle. The original film remains available for viewing, and its fanbase continues to advocate for the character’s return. In the meantime, Maridueña’s openness about his fears and his gratitude for Gunn’s recognition offers a rare, honest glimpse into the uncertainty that actors face even after a major release. His story is one of relief, respect, and a renewed belief that his work on Blue Beetle was not just a fleeting moment in the superhero genre, but a meaningful chapter in it.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
