Summary
- Blue Beetle potentially sets up a collection of movies and shows in the new DCU, with the confirmed plans for a sequel and potential crossovers with Booster Gold and Teen Titans.
- The success of the first Blue Beetle movie will determine the greenlighting of Blue Beetle 2, with positive reviews from critics and audiences boding well for the franchise’s future.
- Blue Beetle’s future could involve interactions with other heroes in the new DCU, including Booster Gold, who may be involved in the mystery of Ted Kord’s disappearance, and a potential spot on the Justice League as Jaime Reyes evolves as a superhero.
Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for DC’s Blue BeetleBlue Beetle potentially helps set up a collection of movies and shows for the new DCU. Confirmed to be the first hero in the new universe envisioned by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) inadvertently bonds with an alien scarab named Khaji Da, granting him alien armor and weaponry to become a brand-new superhero in the DC Universe. With his origins complete after this first movie, the new Blue Beetle certainly has a very open future to look forward to.
With two Blue Beetles having preceded him, Jaime Reyes has inherited an exciting new legacy and mantle after bonding with the sentient scarab Khaji Da (voiced by Becky G). While becoming a superhero wasn’t something Jaime asked for, Reyes has become one all the same with support from his family. Likewise, it’s been confirmed by Gunn that Blue Beetle’s future will indeed take place in the new DCU. As such, here are a handful of movies and shows Blue Beetle has potentially set up after his first movie.
5 Blue Beetle 2
At the time of writing, Blue Beetle 2 has yet to be greenlit. After all, a successful performance at the box office from the first Blue Beetle is likely needed to warrant a sequel in the new DCU. Regardless, both director Angel Manuel Soto and Gunn have voiced their support for sequels with Soto in particular voicing his intentions to create a full Blue Beetle trilogy. It certainly helps that reviews from both critics and audiences have been very positive, a great sign compared to recent DC movie releases.
Regarding the potential plot for Blue Beetle 2, the confirmation in Blue Beetle’s post-credits scene that the previous Blue Beetle Ted Kord is alive would likely play a large role in the story. Additionally, Jaime would likely continue adjusting to his new status quo as a superhero while learning to get along with Kahji Da. It also stands to reason that Blue Beetle could start interacting with other heroes once the new DCU is up and running.
4 Booster Gold
While he could have a role in a potential Blue Beetle 2, Booster Gold may be involved in Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle disappearance. This is something that could be revealed in the Booster Gold show currently in development for HBO Max. In the original DC Comics, Michael Carter’s Booster Gold and Kord’s Blue Beetle are best friends. Booster Gold is a time traveler from the future who uses advanced tech to be a superhero in the present. As a result, it’s possible Ted went missing as he’s somehow lost in the time stream with Booster, unable to return to his own time and daughter Jenny (Bruna Marquezine).
Likewise, Booster Gold has also had previous partnerships with Jaime Reyes in the comics. As such, a potential meeting and team-up to find Ted is a logical possibility while also setting up Booster’s own DCU show. Either way, it’s a good bet that both the Blue Beetle and Booster Gold franchises will eventually cross over.
3 Superman: Legacy
While Jaime Reyes’ Blue Beetle is confirmed to be the DCU’s first hero, Superman: Legacy is still considered to be the first movie of the new DCU. Written and directed by James Gunn himself, Superman: Legacy will usher in a new universe where some properties from the previous DCEU will continue while bigger tent pole heroes like Superman and Batman are being recast with rebooted stories, providing a fresher start that the DC franchise overall has desperately needed. Case in point, Superman: Legacy will be released in 2025 with David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
However, Gunn has also confirmed that Superman: Legacy will not be an origin story for Superman nor the DCU as a whole with Clark Kent living in a world already familiar with superheroes. To that end, a collection of heroes has been cast with roles in Superman: Legacy. Nathan Fillion is playing Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi has been cast as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan will be playing Metamorpho. As such, it’s not a stretch to imagine that Blue Beetle could cameo as well (especially after Superman was referenced in Blue Beetle more than once).
2 Teen Titans
Jamie Reyes’ Blue Beetle could also have a future with potential team films in the new DCU. Having been a member of the Teen Titans before 2011’s New 52 reboot as seen in the original comics, Reyes could fit right in as a younger hero who’s recently graduated from college. He certainly has the perfect personality to be a team player who’d likely have great dynamics with any heroes he’d possibly join forces with. While there isn’t a Teen Titans movie or show currently in development, it’s likely only a matter of time before there will be.
It’s worth noting that Blue Beetle was recently part of the Teen Titans’ roster in the 2016 animated DC film Justice League vs. Teen Titans, joining other young heroes such as Raven, Beast Boy, and Damian Wayne’s Robin who will soon debut in the DCU with the upcoming movie Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Led by original Titans Starfire and Nightwing, seeing Blue Beetle with a live-action version of this Titans roster would be very exciting in the new DCU. It certainly has a lot of potential when and if Jaime has some more solo adventures.
1 Justice League
Following the New 52 reboot in the comics, Blue Beetle did join the Justice League International at the invitation of Booster Gold. He’s also had team-ups in the comics with various Justice Leaguers including Batman and Superman. As such, a future spot on the Justice League could very well be in Jamie Reyes’ future as he matures and continues to evolve as a superhero in the new DCU.
The upcoming DCU slate coming from James Gunn and Peter Safran is very exciting for several reasons. However, one such reason is that there will be all kinds of new freedoms like potentially shaking up the Justice League’s roster going forward. Following this first Blue Beetle movie, the possibilities for Jaime Reyes’ future are huge, including the potential ways his first adventure may have set up upcoming DCU projects as well.