The Blue Beetle is back!

Xolo Maridueña will reprise his role as Blue Beetle in the “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow.”

The film, currently in production, will be directed by James Gunn. Maridueña first played the character in the 2023 film “Blue Beetle,” directed by Ángel Manuel Soto. Maridueña played Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate who gains superpowers when an alien beetle latches onto him.

Speaking on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast, Gunn officially confirmed that Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes is the first character in the rebooted DCU. “The first DCU character, without a doubt, Blue Beetle, and the first full DCU movie is ‘Superman,’” he said when “Blue Beetle” premiered. It is a historic role, since Blue Beetle was the first Latino superhero to star in an independent film in the DC universe.

“The only thing on my mind right now is the fact that he is Latino. I am very proud to be able to be part of this project with Ángel, someone like him,” Maridueña said at the time. “I think it’s very important and I don’t want to be on the stand for too long, but representation is very important.”

As for his physical preparation, Maridueña bulked up to around 130 pounds, then added 25 to 30 pounds of muscle by lifting weights and practicing martial arts. “A lot of it was just eating the right amount,” he said. In 2023, Gunn and Peter Safran had committed to Maridueña as Blue Beetle for the foreseeable future and confirmed that he would appear in upcoming films.

“What impressed me most is his ability with both comedic and emotional material,” Safran said. Variety. “He has all the skills.”

Safran explained that the role required skill in “incredibly funny physical comedy,” as Jaime learns to handle his new superpowers, as well as depth and gravitas, as the character is driven by the desire to save his family. Maridueña nailed both. “It’s very evident that this is a star-making performance,” Safran added.

Maridueña was delighted at the prospect of continuing at the DCU. “Regardless of whether we have 20 movies or if it’s just this one, I feel really accomplished,” he said. “If we can do another one, I’m so ready, and shit, I’ll gain another 20 pounds and grow even bigger.”

As previously announced, David Corenswet will return as Superman in “Man of Tomorrow,” written and directed by Gunn. In the sequel, Superman is forced to team up with his adversary Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) as they work to defeat an even greater threat: the super-intelligent antagonist Brainiac (Lars Eidinger).

“The Man of Tomorrow” will hit theaters on July 9, 2027.