Blue Beetle’s Director Strives to Integrate the Film into the DC Universe

THE BIG PICTURE

The highly anticipated DC film, Blue Beetle, is being celebrated as a “tremendous victory for DC” and a heartfelt tribute to Latino culture. Angel Manuel Soto, the director, artfully blends in various Easter Eggs while ensuring that the film aligns with the continuity of the DC universe. Though there were some restrictions on incorporating certain aspects, Soto made it a priority to weave the film into the fabric of the broader DC universe, with nods to iconic entities like LexCorp and Gotham Law School.

Blue Beetle has been lauded as a “tremendous victory for DC” and “an affectionate homage to Latino culture,” based on the initial reactions. For the director, Angel Manuel Soto, it was essential to infuse the film with a personal touch, while simultaneously ensuring a smooth integration with the established universe of DC Comics. This balancing act was a challenge, but it seems that the director has achieved it with considerable finesse.

In an interview with FilmSweep’s Steve Weintraub, Soto disclosed that the team made concerted efforts to include as many Easter Eggs as they could—like the sign promoting LexCorp, the corporation established by the infamous villain Lex Luthor, who will soon appear in Superman: Legacy. This was done within reasonable bounds, recognizing that not everything would be given the green light by DC’s higher-ups, specifically James Gunn, due to the film’s current placement within a unique version of the DC universe.

Soto remarked, “Indeed, there were certain things that we aspired to include that were declined, as they might link it to a disparate universe or such. Naturally, we pursued all the Easter eggs that were feasible; we sought to include as many as we could. In designing this cosmopolitan city, adorned with neon lights and holographic elements, we aimed to render it in a way that would fit seamlessly into the broader DC Universe, and Lexcorp is indeed Lexcorp.”

As It Was, So It Will Be

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Soto also emphasized that the decision to feature Gotham Law School followed similar logic—if Gotham Law School has been a constant presence in DC comics, it’s only logical that it should persist in future narratives. Therefore, why not incorporate it? He stated:

“Similarly, with Gotham Law School, Gotham remains Gotham. That element will never vanish from the superhero lore, so why shouldn’t our protagonist also dwell in a world influenced by all these other legacies?”

James Gunn further hinted that this wouldn’t be the last appearance of Xolo Maridueña in the titular role, and confirmed that the character will persist in his new DC Universe. The first project in this new direction will be the forthcoming animated series, Creature Commandos, which you can learn more about here.

Blue Beetle is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 18. You can find our comprehensive interview with Soto below:

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• Blue Beetle Official Trailer
• Interview with Angel Manuel Soto
• Superman: Legacy Details
• Creature Commandos Animated Series Information
• Blue Beetle Release Date and Theater Information