Blue Beetle joins Superman sequel Man
Actor Xolo Maridueña confirms he will reprise his role as Jaime Reyes in the upcoming DCU film Man of Tomorrow, following a direct call from director James
Actor Xolo Maridueña has officially confirmed his return as Jaime Reyes, the Blue Beetle, in the upcoming DC Studios film Man of Tomorrow. The sequel to 2025's Superman is directed by James Gunn, who personally called Maridueña to offer him the role.
Maridueña described receiving the call while on a personal trip. "I was in Japan with my friends; nobody knew anything," he said. "And suddenly I see, like the Bat-phone, my phone rings [and it's] James Gunn." This confirmation ends months of speculation about the character's place in the new DC Universe canon led by David Corenswet's Superman.
Key plot and production details
The sequel, titled Man of Tomorrow, will feature a significant time jump and an unusual alliance. The story is set two years after the events of the first Superman film. It will force Superman, played by David Corenswet, and his nemesis Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, into a temporary partnership. Their common enemy is the villain Brainiac, who will be portrayed by actor Lars Eidinger.
A notable visual element will be the live-action debut of Lex Luthor in his classic green and purple warsuit. The confirmed returning cast includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The film will also feature appearances by Milly Alcock as Supergirl and an actor as Hawkgirl.
Filming schedule and release date
Principal photography for Man of Tomorrow began in April 2026. Filming took place in locations including Atlanta and Cincinnati. The production officially concluded its principal photography in August 2026. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 9, 2027. The first promotional trailers are projected to debut by the end of this year.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time Jump | 2 years after Superman (2025) |
| Villain | Brainiac (Lars Eidinger) |
| Filming Start | April 2026 |
| Filming End | August 2026 |
| Release Date | July 9, 2027 |
The expanding DC Universe
The inclusion of Blue Beetle in a central DCU narrative highlights James Gunn's strategy of integrating newer heroes with established franchise pillars. The report, from IGN Latinoamérica editor Daniel Guzmán, frames the Superman-Luthor alliance against Brainiac as a key plot point meant to elevate the scale of the cinematic conflict. This move is seen as reinforcing the narrative cohesion of the interconnected universe Gunn is building.
