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The slate of DC movies in 2023 is off to a strong start with the live-action releases of Shazam! Wrath of the Gods And the light and animated versions of legion of superheroes And Batman: The Death That Came to Gotham. With the recent announcement that the DC Universe (DCU) will be rebooted starting with the release of Superman: Legacy In 2025, the slate of live-action DC films is shaking as their upcoming releases stray from connections to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
One of the many live-action films DC has this year blue beetle, scheduled for release on August 18 with Angel Manuel Soto as director. The film centers on the version of Jaime Reyes’ character and stars Xolo Maridueña from Cobra Kai fame as its titular hero. While the film is stated to be the 14th film within the DCEU, James Gunn, co-president of Soto and DC Studios, has stated that the film is part of the newly emerging DCU.
Blue Beetle’s history is rich in comics, with many characters bearing the title. While the 2023 movie won’t be the first iteration of the character in live-action, the film’s introduction of Latino representation within the DCU could be a fresh start for the universe. Ahead of the movie’s official release, here are 10 DC movies (and shows) to watch before blue beetle.
10 The Flash (2023)
The multiverse theory has been a hypothetical concept since the earliest stages of philosophy, and comics have been utilizing this concept since its early infancy. 2023 movie the light Addressing the concept as one of the last films within the DCEU, it follows Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) on his quest to go back in time to save his mother from death. The movie adapts the popular Flashpoint story from the comics, which led to a DC Comics reboot with The New 52.
One major component of the light Any links within the DCEU is erased from Ezra Miller Flash. The film acts as a cleanser for the complex DCEU, offering viewers a fresh look at the DC universe as Barry Allen encounters old and new versions of popular DC characters in new timelines throughout the film.
Despite underperforming at the box office, the light It offers viewers, who are eager to kick off the DCU with new characters and stories, the chance to see their favorite DCEU characters in action one last time.
9 Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)
Set within the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU), Justice league vs teen titans It marked the first cinematic appearance of Jaime Reyes in any capacity. The film follows the Teen Titans, a young group of superheroes, who face defeat by the Justice League after being possessed by Satan, and Raven’s father, Trigon.
While Jaime doesn’t get a great deal of focus throughout the movie, introducing the character into an already established universe could help viewers get a sense of what might come of Blue Beetle within the DCU. The film also depicts Jaime’s relationship with his fellow team members, particularly bickering with Damian Wayne at one point, and showcases his powers in a more subtle way.
8 Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017)
The 2017 sequel to Justice league vs teen titans Jaime Reyes has given the spotlight he deserves by expanding on his character from the first movie. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract It adapts the popular Judas Contract story from the comics, and introduces characters like Deathstroke and Terra into the mix.
Throughout the film, Jaime’s conflicts with the scarab escalate and result in him being unable to form strong relationships with anyone outside of Team Titans due to the scarab’s distrust of them. The most distant relationship was with his father, and Jaime volunteered at a local food pantry to help feed the homeless, give back to the community, and create positive relationships with new individuals.
For fans who want to see a more evolved version of Jaime Reyes, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract offers the perfect view into Jaime’s troubled world and his relationship with his scarab. While it’s uncertain how much Jaime and his scarab may not align in the upcoming 2023 release, this movie could give some insight into what might be in store.
7 Shazam! (2019)
The lightheartedness and humorous tone can be felt in David Sandberg’s 2019 film, Shazam!. Zachary Levi and Asher Angel portray Shazam and Billy Baston, a superhero who can transform by saying his superhero name. The Seven Deadly Sins serve as the film’s villains, and Billy Baston must learn how to hone his powers in order to successfully defeat them.
In a departure from the more serious and dark nature of the live-action DC films that preceded it, Shazam! Offer viewers a whole new light into the more optimistic side of DC characters in live action. A success in this technique, the film can be seen by budding fans of Blue Beetle to gain an insight into the comedic and heartfelt side of DC live-action films. Focusing on a fellow teenage superhero and full of comedic humour, Shazam’s origin story in the movie may share some thematic similarities with Blue Beetle as well.
6 Suicide Squad (2021)
2016 James Gunn standalone sequel Suicide Squad It became a critical hit for DC films. While the film features many returning faces from the previous film, a new batch of faces join the titular Suicide Squad on a secret mission to save the entire world.
With news of the DCEU ending after the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in late 2023, Suicide Squad It provides viewers with an introduction to some of the faces they can expect in the upcoming DCU. From John Cena’s Peacemaker to Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, several characters in this movie have been confirmed to return within the DCU in future projects or sequels to popular TV shows.
Suicide Squad It’s James Gunn’s first interaction with DC characters, and with Blue Beetle confirmed as the first DCU character, it looks like we may see Jaime Reyes interact with some of the characters from this hit movie.
5 Young Justice Season 2 – Invasion
While not a movie, the second season of the animated TV show Young justicetranslated Invade, serves as “the perfect Blue Beetle origin story” according to Justin Carter of Comic Book Resources. The show follows the lives of the teenage companions of DC’s most iconic heroes, with main characters such as Nightwing, Miss Martian, Artemis Crock, and Aqualad. During the show, the young team encounters powerful intergalactic enemies such as Darkseid and the Light. in Invadethe show focuses on an alien invasion by the Reach, and newcomer Jaime Reyes aka Blue Beetle takes center stage in this battle against the alien invaders.
The 20-episode season explores the intricacies of Jaime Reyes in a unique light, and allows the character to develop into a formidable addition to the Young Justice team. Jaime’s struggles with his family and his relationship with the scarab throughout the season will provide viewers with a unique spin on the character and origin story of Reyes. It even potentially gives a hint about what might be in store for the live-action movie.
4 DC Show: Blue Beetle
The DC Showcase is a series of short films about relatively unknown and under-represented characters in the DC universe who are not shown on a regular basis. Among the many characters to appear in the series, Ted Kord’s version of Blue Beetle appears in 2021. The short film follows an adventure between Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Nightshade, and the Question against mad scientist Doctor Spectro.
With a visual homage to the old superhero animated shows, DC Show: Blue Beetle It gives viewers a glimpse into the strange world of the second Blue Beetle in the comics. While it’s not about Jaime Reyes, the movie could offer a unique look at the past cloaks of the Blue Beetle moniker.
3 Birds of Prey (2020)
Colorful, comic and action packed movie 2020 wild birds It introduces a new perspective on the character of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and the subsequent group of characters she meets to form Birds of Prey. Directed by Cathy Yan, the film follows Harley Quinn after she breaks up with The Joker and gets into trouble with Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), a crime boss also known as the Black Mask. The film received positive reviews from critics, with some even recently arguing that it is one of the best DCEU films.
The unique look of the film compared to the DCEU films before it is a great benchmark in preparation for the next installment of the series blue beetle in August. While the movie has nothing to do with the character, the fresh perspectives and upbeat atmosphere of wild birds It gives viewers the perfect opportunity to see a more fun side of the live-action DC movies, just like… Shazam!.
2 Aquaman 2018 movie with subtitles
Directed by James Wan, 2018 movie Aquaman It became a huge financial success for Warner Bros. and DC Studios by grossing over $1.150 billion at the box office. Jason Momoa stars as the titular character in his origin story, as he tries to stop his brother, King Orm (Patrick Wilson), from destroying the rooftop.
Aquaman It can provide viewers with insight into how characters can help bridge the world between two regions, as Jaime Reyes has been shown in other iterations of his character. The film’s reliance on family themes could also relate to the struggles of Jaime Reyes.
1 Justice League: War (2014)
Justice League: War is another DCAMU movie that makes this list. It doesn’t feature the titular character of Blue Beetle, but the inspiration for the storylines within The New 52 makes it a movie worth watching before the movie is released.
Justice League: War Focuses on forming the Justice League in an effort to combat Darkseid’s invasion of Earth. The film adapts elements of the first story of the Justice League within The New 52, titled “Origins”, and establishes the universe connected to the subsequent films that follow within the DCAMU.
Many of the films within DCAMU take elements from DC’s The New 52 comic reboot, and some elements within the Blue Beetle reboot will appear. In an article by Brandon Zachary of Comic Book Resource, Soto shared that “The New 52 was a huge inspiration for [Blue Beetle] suit goes. “
So, while you get inspired by the story and additional character elements injustice 2 And earlier in the Blue Beetle comic, the New 52’s involvement in the development of the Blue Beetle suit renders Justice League: War An intriguing look at the possible atmosphere of inspiration behind the live-action movie.
