Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios are gearing up to expand the Blue Beetle franchise with a new animated series, according to sources close to the production. Miguel Puga, known for his work on “The Casagrandes,” is set to serve as the showrunner and director, while Cristian Martinez (“Women of the Movement,” “Good Trouble”) will be the series’ writer.
The series will see executive production from Angel Manuel Soto and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the director and screenwriter of the 2023 Blue Beetle film, respectively. John Rikard, who was also an executive producer on the film, will continue in this role for the animated series. Overseeing the project for DC Studios is Galen Vaisman, another executive producer from the film.
While Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios have not commented officially, it is understood that the animated series will build upon the universe established by the movie, which was developed under DC Studios’ previous leadership. However, the series will chart its own course rather than retelling the film’s story. If successful, this new direction could pave the way for Blue Beetle’s return to the big screen, with Xolo Maridueña potentially reprising his role.
The Blue Beetle film centers on Jaime Reyes, a popular teenager from El Paso who becomes the third character to don the Blue Beetle mantle in the comics. Jaime, portrayed by Maridueña, graduates from college and returns home to figure out his future. He takes a job alongside his sister Milagro (played by Belissa Escobedo) and clashes with Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon) of Kord Industries while protecting her niece, Jenny (Bruna Marquezine).
The story unfolds as Jaime inadvertently comes into possession of an alien scarab, granting him the powers of the Blue Beetle, a rare transformation that disrupts Kord Industries’ plans for global domination. The film tracks Jaime’s journey from an unemployed pre-law graduate to a formidable superhero challenging Kord’s ambitions.
The movie also features George Lopez, Adrianna Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, Harvey Guillén, Raoul Trujillo, and Becky G, who provides the voice for Khaji-Da, the sentient entity behind Jaime’s Blue Beetle suit.
Cristian Martinez, one of the key figures in the animated series’ development, is represented by Gersh and attorney Kim Stenton at Myman Greenspan.
