Aside from the films on its theatrical slate, DC also has a handful of movies going straight to HBO Max over the next several years. However, one of those projects is getting a major upgrade. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the studio’s Blue Beetle movie is no longer being developed as a Max exclusive. Instead, the film will hit the big screen on August 18, 2023.
DC Films president Walter Hamada originally revealed the studio’s plans to release certain movies on HBO Max while speaking with The New York Times last year. At the time, those films were characterized as “riskier” than tentpoles featuring more popular characters like Batman and Superman. They also wouldn’t cost as much to produce. Regardless, this latest move indicates more confidence in Blue Beetle’s ability to perform well at the box office.
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Blue Beetle will star Xolo Maridueña as the Jaime Reyes version of the character. In the comics, Jaime became the third DC hero to assume this mantle after bonding with the alien device known as the Scarab. Earlier this year, Maridueña appeared alongside director Angel Manuel Soto and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer at DC FanDome to discuss their goals for the movie. They also shared early concept art for Maridueña’s costume and teased that the film will celebrate Jaime’s Mexican-American heritage.
So far, the only other DC movie scheduled for 2023 is Shazam: Fury of the Gods, which arrives on June 2 of that year. The studio’s HBO Max slate currently includes vehicles for Batgirl, Zatanna, Static Shock, and Black Canary.
What do you make of this latest shakeup surrounding Blue Beetle’s release? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Blue Beetle Vol. 1: The More Things Change
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