In a world saturated with well-known superheroes, one character is poised to make a dramatic entrance. Blue Beetle, the latest addition to the superhero genre, has been a long time in the making. With the first live-action portrayal of a Latino superhero taking center stage, the team behind Blue Beetle is ready to showcase a fresh and exciting story.
The Journey of Blue Beetle
Xolo Maridueña, a rising star, found himself in unfamiliar territory back in 2015. At the tender age of 14, he secured a small role in David Lynch’s enigmatic series, Twin Peaks: The Return. The secrecy surrounding the project left Maridueña with little information about his character or the overall story.
Recalling his experience, Maridueña shares, “It was super-secret squirrel. You know nothing about the character, nothing about the project. I’m playing ‘Boy’ – even now, my character is just named ‘Boy’ [in a short, romantic 1950s sequence towards the end of the now iconic eighth episode]. The scene is just me walking with this girl.” Despite the lack of details, Maridueña managed to deliver a satisfactory performance during the take. However, it was director David Lynch who pushed him to new heights.
Maridueña vividly remembers Lynch’s peculiar instruction: “I remember, chain-smoker David Lynch walks over and he’s like, ‘Yeah, that was good. But this time, I want you to pretend you’re walking on clouds the whole time.'” Although bewildered, Maridueña embraced the challenge. “I’m like, ‘This is really arbitrary. I guess I’ll try.'” And so, he did. The director returned and declared, “That was perfect.” Maridueña humorously remarked, “Yeah, so if you need any cloud-walkers, I suppose I’m your guide.”
Fast forward six years, and Maridueña found himself stepping into uncharted territory once again. In August 2021, at the age of 20, he attended a general meeting at Pasadena’s Arroyo Chop House with Warner Bros. president at the time, Walter Hamada.
Filled with confusion and trepidation, Maridueña recalls the peculiar circumstances, saying, “I was so confused, so scared. Like, ‘Why is this guy coming out of the woodwork to meet with me?’ It was so weird.” Around the table, director Angel Manuel Soto and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer awaited his arrival. Unexpectedly, Soto extended an offer to Maridueña to play the lead role in Blue Beetle. Overwhelmed with emotion, Maridueña shed tears of joy, gave an enthusiastic yes, and immediately called his mom to share the exciting news.
The Birth of Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle’s journey from page to screen is one of anticipation and discovery. With Xolo Maridueña set to embody the character, fans can expect a refreshing and dynamic portrayal of the iconic superhero. As the first leading Latino superhero in a live-action film, Blue Beetle is poised to make an indelible impact on the genre.
The collaboration between Maridueña, director Angel Manuel Soto, and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer promises to bring an authentic and captivating narrative to audiences worldwide. Blue Beetle’s long-awaited debut is set to break barriers and usher in a new era of representation and inclusion in the superhero realm.
In conclusion, the story behind the making of Blue Beetle is one of unexpected twists and leaps of faith. From David Lynch’s cloud-walking instruction to Xolo Maridueña’s fateful meeting at the Arroyo Chop House, the path to Blue Beetle has been a remarkable journey. With a talented team at the helm and a groundbreaking representation of a Latino superhero, Blue Beetle is poised to become a cultural milestone in the world of superheroes
