Exclusive: Blue Beetle Director's Top Pick to Play Ted Kord Finally Revealed!

Highlights

Key takeaways:

Blue Beetle's box office debut was underwhelming, bringing in a mere $25 million domestically. However, the film's favorable reception from both critics and audiences suggests the potential for improved performance in the future.

Director Angel Manuel Soto has expressed his dream choice to have Jason Sudeikis portray Ted Kord in a possible sequel, although the final casting decision will be based on finding the perfect fit for the character. As the director of Blue Beetle, Soto has grand ambitions for the DCU franchise.

During its debut weekend, Blue Beetle garnered a meager $25 million at the domestic box office and a modest $43 million worldwide, positioning it as one of DC's weakest opening weekends. Nevertheless, the film surpassed experts' predictions for its domestic box office performance, fueled by predominantly favorable reviews from both critics and audiences. This positive reception holds the potential to propel Blue Beetle to greater success throughout its theatrical run.

When questioned about his ideal choice to portray Ted Kord in a potential sequel, Soto expressed his long-standing preference for Jason Sudeikis. However, Soto emphasized that the ultimate decision would hinge on finding a performer who perfectly embodies the character and shares the filmmakers' passion for continuing Jaime Reyes' narrative.

Sudeikis is recognized for his numerous comedic roles and portrayal of the main character in Ted Lasso on Apple TV. It remains uncertain whether Sudeikis is interested in assuming the role of the original Blue Beetle. However, a hint within the film suggests that Soto may have had this ideal casting in mind for quite some time. While Ted Kord is not portrayed by an actor in the film, there is an audio clip featuring Ted Kord, voiced by an unknown actor, during Blue Beetle's mid-credits scene. Additionally, a painting resembling Sudeikis is showcased earlier in the film, further fuelling speculation.

Most fans generally agree that Sudeikis would be a fantastic choice for the role of Ted Kord. However, Soto emphasized in the interview that the most important aspect is finding someone who can effectively support Jaime Reyes, indicating that Ted Kord will likely serve as a mentor rather than the main character in any film or series. The actor chosen would have to be well-suited for this role, similar to Michael Douglas portraying Hank Pym in the Ant-Man franchise.

Despite the film's disappointing performance at the box office, James Gunn has already assured fans that Blue Beetle will have a significant presence in the DC Universe (DCU). Furthermore, with a Booster Gold series planned for chapter one of the DCU, it is highly likely that Ted Kord will make an appearance.

Blue Beetle is now playing in theaters.

Source: The Digital Fix