Exclusive: Blue Beetle Director's Game-Changing Response to James Gunn's Epic Vision

Highlights

Despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Director Angel Manuel Soto remains committed to promoting the film Blue Beetle and its central characters, the Reyes family. Despite having to undertake a solo press tour, he is determined to ensure that the film receives adequate representation.

The release of Blue Beetle in theaters signifies the resolution of a prolonged struggle with studios, as the project was originally intended for streaming but ultimately revised for a theatrical release.

Despite facing challenges and minimal cast promotion, director Angel Manuel Soto and DC Studios CEO Peter Safran affirm their dedication to the character's future in the DC Universe.

Despite the challenges posed by the current SAG-AFTRA strike, director Angel Manuel Soto will embark on a solo press tour for DC's upcoming film Blue Beetle. While he may not have the company of the cast members, Soto remains dedicated to representing the Reyes family, the film's protagonists, and DC Studios is determined to unveil their future plans. The release of Blue Beetle in theaters this week marks the end of a lengthy battle with studios, as it was initially intended as an HBO Max exclusive. However, Warner Bros. executives made the decision in December 2021 to revert it to a theatrical release, just months before their merger with Discovery. Despite the timing and the strike, DC is unwavering in its commitment to the character.

James Gunn recently shared a photo on Instagram, in which he stood alongside Peter Safran, the CEO of DC Studios at a special screening of Blue Beetle. During the event, Gunn excitedly announced that the superhero would play a vital and remarkable role in the future of the DC Universe. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Angel Manuel Soto expressed his relief and appreciation for the fact that Jaime Reyes and his family have a promising future within the DC Universe. Soto credits the survival of their project throughout various changes within the industry as a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

Gunn's lack of comment on the character's future can be attributed to the current period of leadership and financial changes happening in DC, which have affected storylines and the focus of the Universe. This has resulted in the cancelation or delay of previous projects, such as the Black Adam sequel. However, Angel Manuel Soto assured that the involvement of Blue Beetle's characters in the Universe is a result of faith from him, viewers, and DC executives. He also expressed disappointment that the film's ensemble cannot actively promote their work due to the industry strike, which he acknowledges as a necessary action.

Set to be released in theaters on August 18, Blue Beetle follows the journey of Jaime Reyes (portrayed by Xolo Maridueña) as he becomes the chosen host of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology. This choice grants him a suit of armor with unpredictable superpowers. Additionally, this film holds significant importance as it is the first Latino-led superhero project in live-action, addressing the long-standing lack of Latino representation in the film industry.

Blue Beetle is hitting theaters on August 18, 2023.

Source: James Gunn/Instagram, The Hollywood Reporter