The DC film slate in 2023 has been off to a strong start with the live actions releases ofShazam! Fury of the GodsandThe Flashand the animated releases ofLegion of SuperheroesandBatman: The Doom That Came to Gotham. With the recent announcement of the DC Universe (DCU) reboot starting with the release ofSuperman: Legacyin 2025, the live-action slate of DC films is shaking up as its upcoming releases stray further from connections to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
One of the many live-action films DC has slated for this year isBlue Beetle, set to release on August 18th with Angel Manuel Soto as its director. The film centers on Jaime Reyes’ version of the character, and stars Xolo Maridueña ofCobra Kaifame as its titular superhero. While the film is stated to be the 14th film within the DCEU, Soto and DC Studios co-chairman James Gunn stated the film isa part of the newly emerging DCU.
Blue Beetle’s history is rich within the comics, with many characters taking on the moniker. While the 2023 film will not be the first iteration of the character in live action, the film’s introduction of Latino representation within the DCU can prove to be afresh start for the universe. Before the official release of the film, however, here are 10 DC movies (and a show) to watch beforeBlue Beetle.
10The Flash (2023)
The theory of multiverses has been a hypothetical concept from the early stages of philosophy, and comics have been utilizing this concept from its early inception. The 2023 filmThe Flashtackles this concept as one of the last films within the DCEU, and follows Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) in his quest backwards in time to save his mother from death. The film adapts the iconic Flashpoint storyline from the comics, which led to DC Comics’ reboot through The New 52.
One major element ofThe Flashis the erasure of any ties within the DCEU from Ezra Miller’s Flash. The film serves as a cleanser of the convoluted DCEU, and offers viewers a new take on DC’s world as Barry Allen encounters old and new versions of DC’s iconic characters in new timelines throughout the film.
Despiteunderperforming at the box office,The Flashoffers viewers, who are itching to start off the DCU with fresh characters and storylines, the chance to see their favorite DCEU characters in action one final time.
Related:How Blue Beetle is Different from Other DC Superheroes
9Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)
Set within the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU),Justice League vs. Teen Titanssaw the first film appearance of Jaime Reyes in any capacity. The film follows the Teen Titans, a young group of superheroes, who are faced with defeating the Justice League after they get possessed by the demon, and Raven’s father, Trigon.
While Jaime does not get a ton of focus throughout the film, the introduction of the character within an already-established universe can help viewers become familiar with what may come of Blue Beetle within the DCU. The film also depicts Jaime’s relationship with fellow members of the team, especially bickering with Damian Wayne at one point, and showcasing his powers in a more honed way.
8Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)
The 2017 sequel toJustice League vs. Teen Titansgave Jaime Reyes the spotlight he deserves by expanding upon his character from the first film.Teen Titans: The Judas Contractadapts the popular Judas contract storyline from the comics, and introduces characters such as Deathstroke and Terra into the mix.
Throughout the film, Jaime’s struggles with his scarab heightened and resulted in him not being able to form solid relationships with anyone outside of his Titans team due to his scarab’s mistrust of them. The most estranged relationship was with his father, and Jaime went on to volunteer at a local food pantry to help feed the homeless, give back to the community, and create positive connections with new individuals.
For fans wanting to view a more developed version of Jaime Reyes, then Teen Titans: The Judas Contract offers the perfect view into the troubled world of Jaime and his relationship with his scarab. While it is unsure how much Jaime and his scarab may not get along in the upcoming 2023 release, this film can give some insight into what may be in store.
7Shazam! (2019)
A sense of light fun and humorous tone can be felt in David Sandberg’s 2019 film,Shazam!. Zachary Levi and Asher Angel portray Shazam and Billy Baston, a superhero who can transform by uttering his superhero name. The seven deadly sins serve as the villains of the film, and Billy Baston must learn how to hone his powers to successfully defeat them.
In a departure from the more serious and dark nature of the live action DC films before it,Shazam!offered viewers a brand-new light into the more upbeat side of DC characters in live-action. The film saw success for this technique, and can be seen by emerging fans of Blue Beetle for insight into the more comedic and heartfelt side of DC live-action films. By centering around a fellow teenage superhero and full of comedic humor, the origin story of Shazam in the film may potentially share some thematic similarities to Blue Beetle as well.
James Gunn’s standalone sequel to 2016’sThe Suicide Squadbecame a critical hit for DC films. While the film features many returning faces from the prior film, a new set of faces join the titular Suicide Squad on a secret mission to save the entire world.
With the news that the DCEU is ending after the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in late 2023,The Suicide Squadprovides viewers with the introduction to some of the faces they can expect within the upcoming DCU. From John Cena’s Peacemaker to Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, many characters within this film are confirmed to return within the DCU in future projects or sequels to acclaimed television shows.
The Suicide Squadis James Gunn’s first interaction with DC characters, and with Blue Beetle’s confirmation as the first character within the DCU, it is looking like we may see Jaime Reyes interact with some characters from this successful film.
5Young Justice Season 2 - Invasion
While not a movie, the second season of the animation television showYoung Justice, subtitledInvasion, serves as the“perfect Blue Beetle origin story”according to Justin Carter of Comic Book Resources. The show follows the lives of teenage sidekicks to DC’s most popular heroes, with main characters such as Nightwing, Miss Martian, Artemis Crock and Aqualad. Throughout the show, the young team faces off against intergalactic and powerful foes such as Darkseid and the Light. InInvasion, the show focuses on an alien invasion by the Reach, and newcomer Jaime Reyes known as Blue Beetle takes center stage in this fight against foreign invaders.
The 20-episode season explores the complexities of Jaime Reyes in a unique light, and allows the character to develop into a formidable addition to the Young Justice team. Jaime’s struggles with his family and his relationship to the scarab during the season will offer viewers a unique spin on Reyes’ character and origin story. It may even, potentially give a hint at what may be in store for the live action film.
Related:Young Justice: What is Sanctuary?
4DC Showcase: Blue Beetle
The DC Showcase is a series of short films that center around relatively unknown and underrepresented characters within the DC realm that do not regularly get featured. Of the many characters featured throughout this series, the Ted Kord version of Blue Beetle was featured in a short in 2021. The short follows an adventure between Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Nightshade and Question against the mad scientist Doctor Spectro.
Through visual homages to old superhero animated shows,DC Showcase: Blue Beetlegives viewers a glimpse into the wacky world of the second Blue Beetle in the comics. While not pertaining to Jaime Reyes, the film can provide a unique look at past mantles of the Blue Beetle moniker.
3Birds of Prey (2020)
Colorful, comedic and full of action, the 2020 filmBirds of Preyoffers a fresh perspective on the character of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and the subsequent cast of characters she meets to form the titular Birds of Prey. The Cathy Yan directed film follows Harley Quinn after she breaks up with The Joker and runs into trouble with Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), a crime lord also known as Black Mask. The film received positive reviews from critics, with some even recentlyarguing that it is one of the best films of the DCEU.
The film’s unique outlook compared to the DCEU films before it is a great benchmark in preparation for the upcoming release ofBlue Beetlein August. While the film has no ties to the character, the fresh perspectives and upbeat atmosphere ofBirds of Preygives viewers the perfect opportunity to see a more fun side of the live-action DC films, just likeShazam!.
2Aquaman (2018)
Directed by James Wan, the 2018 filmAquamanbecame a huge financial success for Warner Bros. and DC Studios by grossing over $1.150 billion at the box office. Jason Momoa stars at the titular character in his origin story, as he tries to stop his brother King Orm (Patrick Wilson) from destroying the surface.
Aquamancan provide viewers insight on how characters can help bridge the world between two regions, as Jaime Reyes was shown to do in other iterations of his character. The film’s reliance on familial themes can also relate to Jaime Reyes’ struggles.
1Justice League: War (2014)
Justice League: Waris yet another film from the DCAMU that makes this list. It does not feature the titular character of Blue Beetle, but the inspirations of storylines within The New 52 make it a worthy film to watch before the release of the film.
Justice League: Warfocuses on the formation of the Justice League in an effort to combat the invasion of Earth by Darkseid. The film adapts elements of the Justice League’s first storyline within The New 52, titled “Origins,” and sets up the connected universe of the subsequent films that follow within the DCAMU.
Many of the films within the DCAMU take elements from The New 52 comic reboot of DC, and some of the elements within the reboot will be seen in Blue Beetle. In anarticle by Brandon Zachary of Comic Book Resource, Soto shared that “‘The New 52 was a big inspiration as far as the [Blue Beetle] suit goes.’”
So while the storyline and additional character elements take inspiration fromInjustice 2and an earlier run of Blue Beetle’s comic storyline, The New 52’s involvement within the development of Blue Beetle’s suit makesJustice League: Waran interesting look at the potential atmosphere of an inspiration behind the live action film.
