With Cobra Kai coming to an end in just under two weeks, Xolo Maridueña is looking ahead to one of his next projects as he returns to his superhero role of Jamie Reyes/Blue Beetle in a Blue Beetle animated series set in James Gunn’s DCU.
Maridueña starred as Blue Beetle in the 2023 film where he played Jamie Reyes, a young man who gains a mysterious alien device called the Scarab which gives him a high-tech powered suit. With the Scarab, he must protect his family as a corrupt company hunts down the Scarab for their own uses.
Blue Beetle was one of the last film’s of the old DCEU slate of films, but though it failed to generate enough buzz at the box office many of the reviews from critics and audiences were positive. It was enough for Gunn to consider keeping Blue Beetle and Maridueña in his upcoming DC film universe run by him and Peter Safran, though for the time being Maridueña would reprise the role in an animated series before potentially appearing in a live-action DC film again.
Speaking with The Direct while at the Saturn Awards, Maridueña was asked about the series’ development and said “I’m ready to come back. We’re hitting hard this animated project, hoping to get this settled out this year to show everyone next year,” teasing a 2026 premiere.
As for Gunn, he’s understandably got a lot on his plate as the co-head of DC Studios. He is currently in post-production on Superman and his animated series Creature Commandos recently completed its first season on Max and Gunn is getting ready to direct the second season of Peacemaker. He is also producing Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which began filming at the end of January.
Maridueña said of Gunn’s involvement and the series’ potential production timeline “Look, he’s got his hands in his kitchen. I don’t want to walk in while the chef is doing his thing. But I can say that once they’re finished with this three-course meal, I’m ready.”
For his part, Gunn previously said Blue Beetle and the character will be “an amazing part of the DCU going forward!” Maridueña echoed Gunn’s enthusiasm “I have no reason to believe that he’s lying.”
We’ll have to wait for more news on the Blue Beetle animated series and if and when Maridueña will appear in live-action again. Let us know what you think on our social channels at @flickeringmyth…
Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and nerd talk.
