James Gunn, currently promoting the second season of HBO Max’s Peacemaker, hinted at the possible return of Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle in upcoming episodes. This hints at a crossover within the newly restructured DC Universe (DCU), which officially integrates the Blue Beetle character following DC Studios’ recent franchise reboot.
During a press tour, IMDb directly asked Gunn about Blue Beetle returning to the DCU through the popular HBO Max series, which recently expanded its cast to include the Justice Gang, featuring characters like Superman and Supergirl, with narrative shifts introduced in Season 1’s finale. Gunn responded playfully, stating,
“Well, you know, I won’t say you’re not in luck,”
—James Gunn, Director, Peacemaker.
Background on Blue Beetle’s Place in the DC Universe
The solo Blue Beetle film, released in 2021 and directed by Angel Manuel Soto, performed moderately well, earning $130.7 million despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on theatrical releases. Critics and viewers praised the quality of the film, distinguishing it from many struggling 2021 projects. Notably, Blue Beetle survived the DCU overhaul, standing as a largely standalone effort that evidently contributed to its retention within the franchise reboot.
Xolo Maridueña, who brings Blue Beetle to life, is experienced in television, having appeared in Netflix’s Cobra Kai. Although rumored to be joining Netflix’s One Piece adaptation, this is unconfirmed. Maridueña’s TV background makes his Blue Beetle character’s inclusion in a mature, crossover-friendly series like Peacemaker a logical step for reintroducing the character to audiences.
Future Projects Hint at Expanding DCU Crossovers
James Gunn has teased additional DC Comics projects in development, including a mysterious new series that could potentially feature Blue Beetle. He also mentioned that a follow-up connected to Superman is expected to be his next project, likely involving Superman, Supergirl, and the Justice Gang in a crossover event anticipated to begin production next year if all goes as planned.
Fans can likely expect multiple appearances from Blue Beetle as the DCU unfolds under Gunn’s creative direction. The possibility of further integration within popular series like Peacemaker reflects DC Studios’ intent to build interconnected stories in this revitalized universe, providing opportunities for character development and new narrative directions.
