Blue Beetle Actor's Controversial Retort to Batman Joke Unleashes Shockwaves!

Summary

The inclusion of the Batman joke has divided fans and raised questions about how Blue Beetle fits into James Gunn's DC Universe reboot.

Star Raoul Max Trujillo offers intriguing justification in defense of Blue Beetle's infamous Batman joke. Due to Blue Beetle's favorable initial feedback and its less contentious production, it appears to have a greater potential for box office success in comparison to The Flash.

Raoul Max Trujillo, one of the stars of the movie, Blue Beetle, recently shared his thoughts on the infamous Batman joke that has received criticism. Blue Beetle, which is considered one of the final installments in the DC Extended Universe, explores the origin story of Jaime Reyes, a young college graduate who becomes the host of an alien relic called the Scarab, granting him a powerful exoskeleton armor. The Blue Beetle cast includes Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, George Lopez, and Susan Sarandon.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant before the release of the movie and prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Raoul Max Trujillo discussed Blue Beetle and addressed the controversial Batman joke. In the joke, George Lopez's character, Uncle Rudy, refers to Batman as "a fascist". Trujillo defended the joke, stating that aside from being "just a very funny line," there is a valid explanation behind the critique of the iconic character. Read Trujillo's explanation below.

I was unsure about the meaning behind his statement that Batman is a fascist. It seemed like he was dismissing Batman in some way, but I wasn't completely clear on it. It felt like there was a hidden message, suggesting that Batman is not to be respected. Perhaps it stems from the fact that Batman comes from a privileged background and will always protect others in his social class. From that perspective, I can understand the argument. Regardless, it is a humorous line.

Author's Note: This content was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it is important to acknowledge that the movie discussed here would not exist without the dedicated work of the writers and actors in both unions.

How Batman's Existence Informs The Position Of Blue Beetle In The DC Universe

The inclusion of the Batman joke initially divided DC fans, but it has also sparked questions about the connection between Blue Beetle and James Gunn's upcoming DC Universe reboot. While the film was originally part of the former DCEU, Gunn confirmed that it is now "disconnected" and will lead into his new franchise with The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The time travel plot of the previous movie caused changes in the universe, and the latter has undergone reshoots to align with Gunn's vision.

Gunn recently announced that Maridueña's Blue Beetle would be the first character in the DCU, with Superman: Legacy being the first movie under the new label. Director Ángel Manuel Soto also confirmed that the young hero is part of the future plans. Interestingly, Soto mentioned that there are references to Man of Steel as a way to honor Zack Snyder's work, creating some uncertainty about how the character fits into the transitioning universes.

With the previous concern surrounding The Flash's performance due to star Ezra Miller's legal troubles and the uncertainty regarding its connection to the franchise, it is intriguing to see if Blue Beetle will encounter a similar outcome. However, in contrast to its predecessor, the new film has generated predominantly positive early feedback. Moreover, with minimal controversy surrounding its production, Blue Beetle appears to have a greater chance of thriving at the box office, especially considering the favorable reviews it has received.