James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has offered strong hints that Blue Beetle will play a significant role in the new DC Universe (DCU), showing promise even amid the restructuring following the Snyderverse collapse. This development comes after a reshaping of Peacemaker’s storyline confirmed both heroes could smoothly transition into the revamped DCU, emphasizing their comic book origins connected to Charlton Comics.
During an interview with Rotten Tomatoes about retconning Peacemaker’s first season finale, Gunn explained his approach to integrating characters from varied DC adaptations into the new continuity. Peacemaker’s original season ended within the now-defunct DCEU, portraying the anti-hero confronting the threat of alien Butterflies, followed by the delayed arrival of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which he criticized for coming too late to assist.
Integrating Peacemaker and Blue Beetle into the New Canon
In an effort to place Peacemaker firmly within the new DCU, the show’s second season premiere revises canon, situating the season one events during his interaction with prominent heroes such as Superman, Supergirl, and the Justice Gang. Gunn indicated that both Peacemaker and Blue Beetle
“just kind of… fit in very nicely”
into the new universe, admitting only minor retcons might be necessary.
Gunn elaborated,
“Peacemaker was always in a weird place – You know, people say he was part of the DCEU – but he wasn’t really. He was a part of this in-between universe of DC when there was nobody really making sure everything was connected, and at a time when they were going to rewrite everything with The Flash.”
[Because of this] We were kind of able to do whatever we wanted. And we had that brash ending, which I loved. It was one of my favorite things in the whole season, but it just didn’t fit in with the DCU.
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
On Blue Beetle specifically, Gunn remarked,
“Same with Blue Beetle. They just kind of just fit in very nicely. But maybe we have to retcon a couple of things, but this was the big one.”
This represents Gunn’s clearest public indication yet that Jamie Reyes, Blue Beetle’s alter ego, is expected to continue within the updated DCU framework.
Previous Indications of Blue Beetle’s Continued Presence
Gunn’s enthusiasm for Blue Beetle is not new. When announcing the DCU launch roadmap, he described Blue Beetle’s upcoming film as
“a fantastic film about a kid who’s a marvelous part of the DCU.”
Later, during a podcast interview on Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Gunn affirmed,
“The first DCU character for sure is Blue Beetle, the first full DCU movie is Superman.”
Similarly, Angel Manuel Soto, director of the Blue Beetle film, expressed confidence about the character’s future within the new DCU. In an interview with Total Film, Soto stated,
“We are part of the universe, we are part of the world, we are part of the plans that they have been creating for the future instalments of the DCU.”
Soto clarified the film’s relationship to previous DC projects, adding,
“But we are not tied to all the films from the past. Yes, our movie lives in the world where superheroes exist. But that doesn’t mean that a certain event, or certain alliance, or certain things from the past dictate where our film is going.”
Caution and Optimism from Blue Beetle’s Lead Actor
Despite the encouraging outlook from Gunn and Soto, Xolo Maridueña, who portrays Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, has tempered expectations regarding immediate developments. Speaking to Fandango about discussions with Gunn following the Blue Beetle film’s release, he said,
“I have had the please of getting to speak with Mr. James Gunn and the whole DC fam. And, you know, at the end of the day I think, you know, first, we have to cross this first hill and introduce Jaime to the world.”
Maridueña emphasized the importance of audience reception for the character’s future, noting,
“But I think it’s up to the audience to watch the movie. It’s up everyone to show up for the movie and it’s so wonderful that we get to make movies like and if it does well we’ll get to open more doors for more Blue Beetles and not even just for the people up here, but we’ve got a whole thing set up. So many Beetles to choose from. So many comics to choose from and really just a whole world.”
Blue Beetle’s Role Signals a Bright Future for DCU
The new information from James Gunn and others connected to Blue Beetle suggests that this hero, once sidelined during the DCEU’s turbulent transition, now stands ready for a prominent place in the DCU’s future. Integrating characters like Peacemaker and Blue Beetle who originated under unclear or transitional circumstances allows the rebooted universe to build on existing stories without full erasure.
As the DCU continues to develop its cinematic and television storylines, these revelations hint that Jamie Reyes’s Blue Beetle is poised to become an important figure, potentially leading to new films and expanded narratives embracing the vast comics lore. This strategic blending reflects Gunn’s vision of a connected, dynamic, and inclusive universe for DC’s growing fanbase.
