Deadline reveals that Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios are plotting a new Blue Beetle animated TV series. It's reportedly already in development, with Miguel Puga (The Casagrandes) said to have started work on the project earlier this year.
He'll serve as showrunner, while Cristian Martinez (Women of the Movement) is writing the series. Angel Manuel Soto and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, director and screenwriter of the 2023 movie, respectively, are going to executive produce alongside John Ricard.
Galen Vaisman, who was also an executive producer on Blue Beetle, is overseeing the series for DC Studios.
James Gunn has already confirmed there are plans for Xolo Maridueña's Jaime Reyes in the new DCU and this sequel "could potentially lead to a return to the big screen," says the trade's sources.
It's unclear whether that would be in another solo outing as the Blue Beetle movie made only $130.8 million worldwide on a reported $104 million - $125 million budget. In a tough year for the DCEU, it performed better than expected and has a solid 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The trade goes on to explain that "the animated series will build on the movie, developed under DC Studios’ previous regime, but will divert from telling the same story. Instead, the show will create its own story." We don't know exactly what that means, though this may serve as a reboot which abandons the hunt for the missing Ted Kord to make him an established part of the DCU.
In terms of cast, multiple Blue Beetle actors have been approached and are said to be keen on returning.
"I know we’ll see Blue Beetle again, whether it comes in the form of Blue Beetle 2 or wherever," Maridueña said earlier this year. "It’s been really great to work alongside James [Gunn] and Peter [Safran], who have graciously folded us into their new universe even though it wasn’t part of what they came up with."
"It’s an honor. Now, where Blue Beetle heads in the future? I don’t know. But I can confidently say that we will see him soon."
We'd imagine this animated series is what the actor was referring to and it feels like a smart way to incorporate the popular hero into the DCU. Providing the show is a critical hit and attracts plenty of viewers on Max, DC Studios is no doubt hoping it will result in a renewed interest to see Jaime back on the big screen in live-action.
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