Exclusive: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Holds Surprising Fate for Blue Beetle

Highlights

James Gunn takes a "wait-and-see" approach to the potential return of Blue Beetle, similar to his approach with other DC characters like Shazam and The Flash.

The fate of Blue Beetle remains uncertain as its success is vital being the first DC film in the upcoming DCU timeline after The Flash. The confusion persists regarding the distinction between DCU characters and films. Xolo Maridueña addressed this issue with Gunn, emphasizing that the future of Blue Beetle hinges on audience reception and box office performance.

Blue Beetle actor Xolo Maridueña has recently had a conversation with James Gunn. However, fans may feel a sense of déjà vu when hearing Maridueña's response about the character's potential return. Just like with Zachary Levi's Shazam, Ezra Miller's Barry Allen in The Flash, and presumably Aquaman in the upcoming sequel, Gunn seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach towards Blue Beetle.

The success of Blue Beetle holds a lot of importance. According to Gunn, it is the first DC film in the upcoming DCU timeline following The Flash. However, DC Studios CEO also claims that the first official DCU film is Superman: Legacy, which he will personally write and direct. This division between DCU characters and films might confuse general audiences and contradict DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran's goal of minimizing audience confusion and maximizing their enjoyment. Amidst this, the Blue Beetle actor has spoken to Gunn, but his response leaves the character's fate in the hands of the audience.

Maridueña disclosed to Fandango that he had a conversation with Gunn, and his key takeaway was that their primary objective is to introduce Jamie to the world and overcome the initial challenges. However, the ultimate fate of Blue Beetle relies on the audience's interest in watching the movie. If it achieves success, it will pave the way for more opportunities with additional Blue Beetles. It is important to note that Blue Beetle was already in post-production when Gunn and Safran joined as DC Studios' CEOs, following the merger with Warner Bros. Discovery and the company's transition under David Zaslav's leadership. As a result, Blue Beetle is essentially a part of the prior WB regime, making it a character that is being offered to Gunn for his DCU reboot. Hence, Gunn's response, leaving the decision of Blue Beetle's future to the box office performance, is consistent with the absence of the hero in the initial DC Universe Chapter announcement.

During an explanation regarding his intentions to watch the movie, Zack Snyder unveiled an unseen image of Blue Beetle. This post has currently garnered 16 million views, providing a much-needed boost to the film's marketing campaign, especially considering the limitations imposed by the WGA Strike, preventing the actors and director from actively promoting Blue Beetle. However, despite this positive development, the indications from tracking analytics suggest that Blue Beetle may face disappointment at the box office, aligning with the possibility of it being a one-and-done project according to Gunn's business strategy.

Blue Beetle's upcoming debut in theaters on August 18, 2023 is not the only source of uncertainty within DC. There is also speculation surrounding Gal Gadot's future with Wonder Woman. Without a clear statement from Gunn and Safran regarding DC's future plans, there is a risk of brand confusion resulting from a soft reboot that lacks clarity in its direction for its characters.

Source: Fandango