Xolo Maridueña Reveals How James Gunn Called Him to Return as DC’s Blue Beetle

The 25-year-old actor wasn’t sure he would ever play Jaime Reyes again—until a surprise call from James Gunn changed everything.

Xolo Maridueña is opening up about the emotional moment he learned he would return as DC’s Blue Beetle.

The actor first portrayed Jaime Reyes, the superhero behind the Blue Beetle suit, in the 2023 film Blue Beetle. He is now set to reprise the role in the upcoming Superman sequel, Superman: Man of Tomorrow.

Xolo Wasn’t Sure Blue Beetle Would Return

Despite playing the lead character in Blue Beetle, Maridueña admitted that he never knew whether he would get another opportunity to portray the superhero.

“There’s never a guarantee with anything,” the actor explained, acknowledging how quickly plans can change in Hollywood.

Maridueña said there were many factors outside his control, making the opportunity to return especially meaningful. He expressed gratitude toward James Gunn and the wider DC team for bringing Blue Beetle into the franchise’s next chapter.

James Gunn Called Him While He Was in Japan

Maridueña recalled that he was traveling in Japan with friends when he received the unexpected call from Gunn.

“I was in Japan with my friends; nobody knew anything,” he recalled.

Then his phone rang—and it was James Gunn.

The surprise immediately caught the attention of his friends, who watched as Maridueña answered the call. The actor had to keep the news private, making the moment even more surreal.

For Maridueña, the call confirmed that his journey as Blue Beetle was far from over.

Returning to the Blue Beetle Suit

When asked what it felt like to put the Blue Beetle suit back on, Maridueña kept his answer deliberately vague.

“I’m sure it’ll be great when that happens,” he teased.

While he could not reveal details about Jaime Reyes’ role in Superman: Man of Tomorrow, his return marks an important step for the character within the evolving DC Universe.

Man of Tomorrow Brings Blue Beetle Back

James Gunn has been developing Superman: Man of Tomorrow as a follow-up to the new DC era, with Maridueña returning as Blue Beetle.

Principal photography has reportedly wrapped, meaning Maridueña has likely already completed his scenes. However, details about his character’s storyline remain tightly under wraps.

For an actor who once feared he might never wear the Blue Beetle suit again, the unexpected call from Gunn offered a welcome surprise—and another chance to bring Jaime Reyes to life.