A few new faces are scuttling over to the set of DC’s Blue Beetle. According to The Wrap, Bruna Marquezine (Dues Salve o Rei), Belissa Escobedo (The Baker and the Beauty, Hocus Pocus 2), and Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) are joining the cast.
Per this morning’s report, Marquezine will play the female lead and love interest Penny, while Escobedo will star as Milagros Reyes, the younger sister of Jaime Reyes. Details about Guillén’s role are being kept secret, much like the look for Blue Beetle’s new costume. They join Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai), who is set to star in the lead role of Jaime Reyes, the alter ego of the Blue Beetle.
According to DC’s ever-changing continuity, Jaime Reyes became Blue Beetle after Dan Garret and Ted Kord. Created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner, Jaime Reyes discovered the Blue Beetle scarab while walking home from school with two of his best friends, Paco and Brenda. After bringing the strange object home for further inspection, the mysterious item sprang to life and attached itself to the base of Reyes’ spine. As a result, Reyes gained control of a temperamental suit of extraterrestrial armor that can grant its wearer enhanced speed and strength. As a bonus to the unique suit, the Blue Beetle armor can create weapons, shields, and wings out of its otherworldly materials.
In addition to having a variety of DC Comics solo series throughout the years, Blue Beetle has also featured in DC’s animated series Young Justice.: Invasion as well as DC Super Hero Girls. Additionally, a live-action version of the character was played by Jaren Brandt Bartlett in The CW’s Smallville.
In the time that Blue Beetle has been in production, the film has gone from being an HBO Max exclusive to gaining a theatrical release. Angel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings) is set to direct from a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Miss Bala). The film will debut in theaters on Aug. 18, 2023. We’ll be sure to bring you more updates as Blue Beetle continues to gain traction.