Harvey Guillén In Talks To Join ‘Blue Beetle’

Guillermo is headed to the DC Universe.

Deadline reports What We Do In The Shadows‘s Harvey Guillén is in talks to join Blue Beetle in a “key” but undisclosed role. The film stars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes, a teenage boy on the US/Mexico border who discovers a scarab which is really an alien battle suit. Soon, he learns to harness his new powers and becomes part of the DC Multiverse along the way. Based on the character created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hammer (the original Blue Beetle was created by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and, possibly, Will Eisner), the script comes from Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. Ms. Marvel director Angel Manuel Soto will helm the project for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Variety notes Bruna Marquezine and Belissa Escobedo have also joined the cast. The former will play Penny — described as Jaime’s love interest — while Escobedo will play Jaime’s sister Milagros.

The film was originally meant to be part of a DC Films commitment to provide two features to HBO Max every year, but as the project took shape, Warner moved the film to its theatrical calendar. The other HBO Max project, Batgirl, is staying on the service for now. The change also quieted some criticism of the DC Films plan as both Batgirl and Blue Beetle stars are people of color while the DC theatrical superheroes are predominately white. Although, we doubt that controversy really moved the needle at Warner, a film studio once again in transition as its parent company is being sold to Discovery Networks.

Hopefully, all that turmoil won’t get in the way of the film, which has a great concept, a phenomenal actor in the lead, and a devoted following for two of the three characters to hold the Blue Beetle name. Of course, as we’re also fans of Ted Kord, we can’t help but wonder if he might show up in the feature.

Blue Beetle is set for release on August 23rd, 2023.