Exclusive: Here's the First DC Character Confirmed for James Gunn's Upcoming Movie

James Gunn has clarified the future of Blue Beetle, amidst confusion about its connection to the DC Universe. With DC Studios currently working on a range of movies and TV shows, the arrival of Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran has ushered in a new era for the franchise. The upcoming Flash movie will be one of the last DCEU projects before Gunn's arrival, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom set for release later this year. However, in between these projects comes Blue Beetle, whose status as a franchise has been unclear due to the rise of DC Studios. Gunn recently confirmed on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast that while his Superman: Legacy will be the first DC Studios film, Blue Beetle will officially be the first DC Universe character. Previously, it was uncertain whether the character would be a DC Universe property or exist as an Elseworlds story, but this announcement clears up the confusion.

The first DCU character for sure is Blue Beetle, and the first DCU movie is Superman [Legacy.]

How Blue Beetle Is Already Perfectly Setup For James Gunn's DC Universe

Despite being created during the previous era of DC Films, Blue Beetle is well-suited for inclusion in James Gunn's DC Universe. The first trailer for the upcoming Blue Beetle movie only mentions Batman by name, but never actually shows him on screen. This was a smart move, as including footage of Ben Affleck's Batman could have potentially overshadowed Blue Beetle's introduction and made it more difficult for audiences to connect with the new hero.

Blue Beetle's independence from major events in the previous DCEU films allows for a self-contained story, which could ultimately benefit Xolo Maridueña's return to the DC Universe. Gunn has confirmed that Jaime Reyes will coexist within the same world as his DC characters, opening up endless possibilities for the hero's involvement in future projects. With Jaime's potential ties to Ted Kord, the previous Blue Beetle, who is hinted at in the upcoming film, it wouldn't be surprising if he appears in upcoming DC Universe shows such as Booster Gold. As fans look forward to Blue Beetle's debut in theaters, they eagerly anticipate Gunn's further elaboration on the character's future within the DC Universe.

Source: Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum/YouTube