A new photo from the set of the DC Extended Universe film Blue Beetle gives fans their latest look at actor Xolo Maridueña's comics-accurate costume.
On Instagram, Bruna Marquezine -- who plays Penny, Jaime Reyes' love interest, in Blue Beetle -- shared a snapshot from the film's set. The photo was subsequently shared to the r/DCEUleaks subreddit. It features Maridueña, who plays Jaime himself, offering an up-close side view of his Blue Beetle costume.
The first photos (plus a video) of the suit Maridueña will wear as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle surfaced online in May 2022. The costume was lauded online for its fidelity to Jaime's Blue Beetle suit from the DC comic books. This praise did not go unnoticed by Maridueña, who made an Instagram post of his own, reading, "Thanks for all the love on the suit."
Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle Hits the Big Screen in 2023
Created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner, Jaime Reyes first appeared in 2005's Infinite Crisis #3. The character officially took up the mantle of Blue Beetle -- previously held by Dan Garrett and Ted Kord -- in 2006's Infinite Crisis #5. Hailing from El Paso, Texas, Jaime is a teenager who came into contact with the mystical scarab that gave Dan Garrett his powers in the first place.
The Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle made his live-action debut during the 10th and final season of Smallville, in which he was played by Jaren Brandt Bartlett. Moreover, the character has appeared in a number of animated films and television shows. Jaime has also made a number of video game appearances, perhaps most notably as a playable fighter in Injustice 2.
Warner Bros. and DC's upcoming DCEU-set Blue Beetle film was initially being developed as an HBO Max exclusive. However, the film was upgraded to a theatrical release, and is currently slated to bow on Aug. 18, 2023. The film is directed by Angel Manuel Soto from a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer.
In addition to Cobra Kai star Maridueña as Jaime Reyes and Marquezine as Penny, Blue Beetle stars George Lopez as Rudy, Adriana Barraza as Nana, Elpidia Carrillo as Rocio, Damián Alcázar as Alberto, Raoul Trujillo as Carapax the Indestructible Man and Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord (Sharon Stone was reportedly in talks to portray Victoria before Sarandon was ultimately cast). Additionally, Harvey Guillén, of What We Do in the Shadows fame, has been cast in an undisclosed role.
Blue Beetle releases in theaters on Aug. 18, 2023.