Before starring in the Blue Beetle film, Maridueña was an accomplished television actor, with significant roles in Parenthood and Cobra Kai as well as a role as the DJ “King Tech” in Wu-Tang: An American Saga. Maridueña has also appeared as a voice actor in multiple animated series including Fast & Furious Spy Racers, Victor and Valentino, and Peacock’s Cleopatra in Space. Despite an acting career spanning almost a decade, DC’s Blue Beetle will merely be Maridueña’s second feature film appearance after debuting with a minor role in the 2013 indie comedy Dealin’ with Idiots.
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In an interview with USA Today, Maridueña revealed that he has already tried on Blue Beetle’s suit. “We’ve done two suit fittings,” he said. “They’re hoping that I get more buff by the time we actually start filming. But I’ve seen the suit, and it looks awesome.” During the interview, Maridueña stated that while Blue Beetle is different than anything he’s worked on in the past, he is excited for the role and sees it as important for onscreen diversity in film, as well as for showing a “story that we haven’t really seen before.”
Blue Beetle is just one of several superhero films slated for release in 2022 and 2023. DC plans to release The Batman this March, with DC League of Super-Pets, Black Adam, The Flash, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom all slated for release in 2022. Marvel Studios’ 2022 releases include Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, while Sony will be releasing Morbius and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Part One. A few 2022 original films such as Secret Headquarters and Samaritan will also be incorporating superhero tropes into their stories, affirming the pivotal position of the superhero genre in today’s theatrical market.
Pre-production on Warner Bros.’s Blue Beetle film has progressed at a rapid pace, with the film receiving a release date for 2023 as well as Warner Bros.’ commitment to releasing the film in theaters. Blue Beetle was originally an HBO Max exclusive before Warner Bros. opted for the theatrical release.
Blue Beetle is one of the most exciting superhero projects due to its importance to diversity as well as its hero’s silver screen debut. It is good to hear that Maridueña is a fan of the suit, as the comment undoubtedly brings excitement to fans who are sure to see the outfit onscreen in due time.
Blue Beetle comes to theaters on August 18, 2023.
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Source: USA Today
