In the upcoming Blue Beetle film, Susan Sarandon portrays Victoria Kord, Ted Kord's sister and one of the film's main antagonists. The character will do anything to have Ted's Scarab returned, even unleashing the powerful Carapax/OMAC.
Sarandon says her character has traditional "evil corporate executive" characteristics and tactics centered around "the theme of imperialism in the name of democracy." However, there's a special twist in Blue Beetle as Victoria's hatred of Ted Kord goes beyond simple financial motives.
"She's a woman who is very smart and was dedicated to the family business, and then the father gives it to the son, which is a huge shock," explained Sarandon. "On top of that, the son is very irresponsible and basically destroys the fortune that has been built, and then just disappears, leaving her to put the business to sleep. Then she builds it back, but with great resentment because she's been passed over."
Back in 2005, the Countdown to Infinite Crisis' big reveal of Maxwell Lord as a villain culminated with him shooting Ted Kord in the head. During the One Year Later (2006) storyline, which jumped ahead one year after the events of Infinite Crisis, Jaime Reyes successfully merges with the Scarab and becomes the new Blue Beetle.
It's interesting to learn that Sarandon says her brother Ted 'disappeared', not necessarily that he's dead. Perhaps the character will actually show up in the film? It would certainly make for an awesome post-credits scene.
James Gunn appears to be taking the stance that if characters or films perform well, they'll be allowed to move forward into the new DC Studios cinematic universe. If Blue Beetle surpasses box office expectations, perhaps some of the cast will survive the looming end of the DCEU.
Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.
Starring alongside Maridueña (“Cobra Kai”) are Adriana Barraza (“Rambo: Last Blood,” “Thor”), Damían Alcázar (“Narcos,” “Narcos: Mexico”), Elpidia Carrillo (“Mayans M.C.,” the “Predator” films), Bruna Marquezine (“Maldivas,” “God Save the King”), Raoul Max Trujillo (the “Sicario” films, “Mayans M.C.”), with Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (“Monarch,” “Dead Man Walking”), and George Lopez (the “Rio and “Smurf” franchises). The film also stars Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories,” “Hocus Pocus 2”) and Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows”).
Soto (“Charm City Kings,” “The Farm”) directs from a screenplay by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (“Miss Bala”), based on characters from DC. John Rickard and Zev Foreman are producing, with Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman and Garrett Grant serving as executive producers.