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Credit: Inside the MagicThe new era of the DC Universe was officially launched on the big screen last year with James Gunn’s Superman, which set the stage for a series of interconnected films and streaming projects under the guidance of DC Studios co-CEOs Gunn and Peter Safran.
Looking ahead, theatrical projects slated for 2026 include Supergirl and Clayface, and Superman: Man of Tomorrow in 2027.
On the small screen, the DCU has already expanded with the animated HBO Max series Creature Commandos and the second season of Peacemaker. But despite this ambitious slate, fans have been left scratching their heads as Gunn continues to selectively integrate characters and storylines from the defunct DCEU, which began with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013) and included films such as Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Justice League, Suicide Squad, and The Flash.
Related: James Gunn’s DCU Falls Apart as Zack Snyder Confirms That Henry Cavill Is Still Superman
Another DCEU Character Has Been Retained for the DCU
Now, it appears Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes, also known as Blue Beetle, has been retained for the DCU. In an exclusive interview with The Direct, Blue Beetle (2023) director Ángel Manuel Soto addressed the character’s future under Gunn’s oversight.
When asked about a potential sequel and conversations with Gunn, Soto confirmed, “Yeah, there have been conversations, and that’s all I can say. I mean, that’s fair. Conversations have been happening.”
Watch the trailer for Blue Beetle below:
Related: Robert Pattinson’s ‘The Batman’ Sequel Officially Canceled, James Gunn Confirms
They’re Also Getting a DCU TV Series
Soto also noted that Gunn has been “very vocal about keeping Blue Beetle in the DCU” despite the character and the film previously being part of the DCEU, while teasing that “good things are coming for Jaime Reyes and his family.”
Earlier reports from June 2024 indicate that DC Studios is developing an animated Blue Beetle sequel series for HBO Max. The project will be directed by Miguel Puga and written by Cristian Martinez, with Soto and Blue Beetle writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer set to executive produce. Xolo Maridueña previously mentioned that the animated follow-up was targeting a 2026 premiere, though its current schedule has not been officially confirmed.
Every DCEU Character Who’s Now Part of James Gunn’s Universe
The animated series is expected to explore the post-credit revelation from the 2023 film that Ted Kord, the original Blue Beetle, is still alive—potentially connecting to other DCU projects, including the upcoming Booster Gold series.
Fans who had speculated about Maridueña appearing in Peacemaker Season 2 now appear to have to wait for his next DCU appearance in the animated series.
It remains to be seen which other DCEU characters Gunn will fold into the new DCU. So far, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), Christopher Smith/Peacemaker (John Cena), and now Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle (Xolo Maridueña) are among those who have been salvaged.
Calls for the Snyderverse to Return
But despite the new DCU wiping the slate clean and rendering the previous timeline defunct, there has been an outcry from DCEU loyalists to restore the Snyderverse — which essentially refers to a timeline within that era of content (Snyder’s Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and 2021’s Justice League) — whether that would be in replacement of Gunn’s new continuity of films and TV shows or alongside them.
Zack Snyder himself stoked the flames last year — whether intentional or not — when he shared pictures of Henry Cavill as Superman on his Instagram, leading many fans to believe that the DCEU isn’t over. Though there are currently no plans to reintegrate the likes of Cavill, Ben Affleck, and Gal Gadot into the DCU, with James Gunn, there’s really no telling.
Are you confused by the new DCU with all these retained characters? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!