Blue Beetle: Jason Sudeikis casting rumor for DC’s upcoming superhero film gets squashed

Don’t believe everything you read on the internet, kids. Case in point: Jason Sudeikis is not joining the cast of DC‘s Blue Beetle movie. Recently, a rumor began circulating that Sudeikis would play Ted Kord in the upcoming superhero film. After some digging, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that this rumor is false. Speculation about the part began when a purported casting call for a “Ted body double” started making the rounds. The image associated with the post resembled Sudeikis, though the actor’s eyes were blurred out in the picture. Creepy.

While Sudeikis will not star in the film, which serves as DC’s first Latino superhero movie, Susan Sarandon plays Victoria Kord, an original character developed specifically for the film.

Meanwhile, the film directed by Charm City Kings helmer Angel Manuel Soto stars Cobra Kai actor Xolo Maridueña as the title character. 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 could 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.

The cast also includes George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Belissa Escobedo, Bruna Marquezine, Harvey Guillén, and Raoul Max Trujillo.

Sorry, Ted Kord fans, you can consider this rumor squashed. It doesn’t mean that Ted Kord won’t show up in the film, though Sudeikis won’t play him. We know very little about Blue Beetle, so remain vigilant as more misinformation will undoubtedly crop up.

Blue Beetle will release on August 18, 2023.