Xolo Maridueña Reveals James Gunn Personally Called Him to Save Blue Beetle for New 'Superman' Sequel

Xolo Maridueña is officially sticking around in the DC Universe, but the actor admits he was completely in the dark about his superhero future until DC Studios boss James Gunn stepped in with a surprise phone call. After suiting up as Jaime Reyes in 2023’s *Blue Beetle*, the 23-year-old star found himself caught in the middle of a massive studio overhaul. With Warner Bros. scrapping the previous DC Extended Universe to make way for Gunn and Peter Safran’s brand-new slate, fans and Maridueña alike wondered if the cosmic Latino hero would ever fly again. As it turns out, the answer was a resounding yes. Maridueña revealed that Gunn reached out directly to invite him back into the fold for the upcoming *Superman* sequel, titled *Man of Tomorrow*.

Is Blue Beetle returning to the DC Universe?

The life-changing call arrived while the *Cobra Kai* actor was vacationing overseas with friends. Maridueña recalled hanging out in Japan, completely unplugged from Hollywood trade reports, when Gunn broke the news that Blue Beetle remained a core part of the franchise's forward strategy. Speaking about the unexpected offer, Maridueña expressed immense gratitude for the studio's vote of confidence. He noted feeling profoundly humbled that Gunn made a point to include him in the next chapter of the revamped superhero universe rather than starting entirely from scratch with the character. The original 2023 film served as an origin story for Reyes, a recent college graduate who gains superpowers after bonding with an alien scarab. While the standalone picture opened during a turbulent transition period for the studio, critics and comic book diehards praised Maridueña’s charismatic lead performance and the movie's family-centered heart.

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What is Xolo Maridueña's next movie role?

Joining *Man of Tomorrow* puts Maridueña right in the center of DC’s premier film series. Gunn’s new superhero roadmap kicks off with *Superman* before expanding into major ensemble follow-ups, and securing a spot in the flagship sequel guarantees Blue Beetle a prominent seat at the table. For Maridueña, who recently wrapped his breakout stint as Miguel Diaz on Netflix's hit martial arts drama *Cobra Kai*, staying in the superhero business marks another major milestone in his skyrocketing career. With Gunn actively building a more unified comic book domain, bringing back beloved young talent signals that the best parts of DC's recent past are officially stepping into its future.