‘Blue Beetle’ Director Clarifies in Which Cinematic Universe the Movie Takes Place

The latest DCEU movie ‘The Flash’ is now playing in theaters, and if you have already watched it and settled your thoughts on it, then you’re probably already looking at what’s to come in the future of DC movies. Well, we won’t wait for the next DC movie that long since the upcoming ‘Blue Beetle’ is set to hit theaters in only two months.

‘The Flash’ served as the breaking point between DC Extended Universe and the upcoming soft-reboot cinematic universe known as DCU. James Gunn recently commented that Blue Beetle is set to become the first DCU superhero, although, officially, 2025’s Superman: Legacy is still the first DCU movie. It might be a little confusing, but one thing we know is that ‘Blue Beetle’ is the 14th movie in DCEU, the franchise that will conclude next December with ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ although there’s a good chance now we’ll see Blue Beetle in DCU as well.

‘Blue Beetle’ director talks about the movie’s confusing situation with cinematic universes!

Angel Manuel Soto, the director of ‘Blue Beetle,’ recently spoke with Total Film magazine for its next issue, which will be published on June 22. Following James Gunn’s recent confirmation that Blue Beetle is the first DCU hero, Soto confirmed that the movie is a part of the plan James Gunn and Peter Safran have developed for DCU.

“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 installments of the DCU. But we are not tied to all the films from the past. Yes, our movie lives in a 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.”

Angel Manuel Soto for Total Film (via GamesRadar+)

Still, even though it’s part of a cinematic universe, ‘Blue Beetle’ stands on its own feet, and it actually doesn’t matter which universe it’s part of. Until potential crossovers and sequels, we could say that this is an independent-ish movie. The director also opened up about the plans for the potential trilogy.

“Our first movie, the way we wanted to do it, was always with the mentality that we wanted to do two more, at least. And taking the traditional three-act structure of a story, we wanted our first movie to practically be the first act of a saga.”

Angel Manuel Soto for Total Film (via GamesRadar+)

The titular star Xolo Maridueña recently commented that he would be down to do more Blue Beetle in the future. Depending on the commercial result, he would love to join forces with other superheroes living in that franchise eventually.

“If we get one movie or a trilogy and fold this into the Justice League shit, we’re ready for the whole nine. For me and Angel and the team, we kicked ass with this movie. It just depends on the numbers.”

Xolo Maridueña for Empire Magazine

A movie based on the Blue Beetle’s character has developed since 2018. The movie was initially announced as a streaming movie exclusively made for HBOMax, but WBD and DC Studios later changed the plan and decided to give the movie a regular theatrical release. Angel Manuel Soto was hired to direct, and Maridueña was cast in the titular role in 2021. The movie was officially announced at DC FanDome in October 2021, alongside the ‘Batgirl’ movie, which was eventually canceled.

‘Blue Beetle’ is also starring Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, George Lopez, and Susan Sarandon as the original villainess Victoria Kord. Written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer and directed by Angel Manuel Soto, ‘Blue Beetle’ is set to be released on August 18, 2023.

Are you looking forward to ‘Blue Beetle’? Let us know in the comments.

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