Xolo Maridueña Shares The Bat-Phone Moment That Brought Blue Beetle Back Into The DCU

For a superhero introduced under the previous DC regime, Jaime Reyes could have easily become a casualty of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s franchise reboot. Many characters from the pre-Gunn era have quietly vanished as DC Studios reshapes its cinematic universe, leaving fans to speculate about who might be left behind entirely.

Xolo Maridueña, who brought Blue Beetle to life in the character’s 2023 standalone film, admits he was genuinely uncertain about his future in the role. Despite Gunn and Safran publicly affirming Maridueña’s return as Jaime Reyes shortly after the film’s release, the actor noted that there are no guarantees in this industry, regardless of early promises.

That uncertainty abruptly shifted during a trip to Japan, when Maridueña received a call that changed everything. Speaking on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Practical Magic 2,’ he vividly described the moment, likening his phone lighting up with Gunn’s name to something straight out of Gotham City. “I was in Japan with my friends; nobody knew anything,” Maridueña recalled during his conversation with Variety.

“And I just see, like the Bat-phone, my phone rings [and it’s] James Gunn. All my friends look at me, and I had to leave the room. I came back, and I was like, ‘Off the record, don’t tell anyone, but we’re coming back.’”

That call confirmed Maridueña would reprise his role as Blue Beetle in ‘Superman: Man of Tomorrow,’ the eagerly awaited sequel to this year’s ‘Superman’ reboot. This casting news fulfills the promise made by Gunn and Safran, ensuring Jaime Reyes remains a foundational character in the DCU moving forward.

Maridueña’s return is significant for the direction of Gunn’s rebooted universe. Gunn has previously stated on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast that Blue Beetle is the first character of the new DCU, even though ‘Superman’ technically became the first fully realized film in the franchise.

Beyond the behind-the-scenes implications, Jaime Reyes also holds broader cultural significance for DC. His debut in 2023 marked the first time a Latino superhero headlined a standalone DC film, a milestone that resonated deeply with audiences and solidified Maridueña’s connection to the role.

‘Man of Tomorrow’ reunites David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, with the two reportedly forced into an uneasy alliance against the film’s central threat, the intergalactic villain Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger. The ensemble cast also includes Milly Alcock, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Aaron Pierre, and Nathan Fillion, expanding the sequel’s roster.

For Maridueña, stepping back into the biomechanical suit is more than just a career milestone. He has expressed feeling genuinely fulfilled by the opportunity to continue Jaime’s story, regardless of how many further installments the character may receive.

With ‘Man of Tomorrow’ currently in production and set to hit theaters, fans finally have confirmation of what’s been rumored since Blue Beetle’s introduction three years ago. Whatever direction Gunn takes the character next, Maridueña’s reaction to that phone call in Japan indicates he’s just as excited as the fans to see where Jaime Reyes goes from here.

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