Xolo Maridueña feared his Blue Beetle days had ended before James Gunn delivered an unexpected call. The actor had no idea whether DC would bring back his superhero until Gunn revealed plans for the Superman sequel.
Maridueña had stopped expecting another turn in the suit. Then a secret phone call during a Japan trip suddenly changed everything, leaving him scrambling to keep the news quiet.
Xolo Maridueña, Blue Beetle, James Gunn, DC Universe
Maridueña recalled the surreal moment during the Los Angeles premiere of Practical Magic 2. He told Variety that he traveled to Japan with friends when his phone suddenly rang. “I was in Japan with my friends; nobody knew anything,” Maridueña said. “And I just see, like the Bat-phone, my phone rings [and it’s] James Gunn.”
He left the room to take the call privately. When he returned, Maridueña told his friends, “Off the record, don’t tell anyone, but we’re coming back,” adding that he felt excited about Blue Beetle’s future.
The actor admitted he never considered the return guaranteed. “There’s never a guarantee with anything, bro,” he told Variety. Maridueña said plans could change quickly and sometimes had little connection to merit.
Maridueña said he felt “the most humbled” by Gunn and the wider DC team for bringing Blue Beetle back, “Indiana Jones style.” Man of Tomorrow followed 2025’s Superman and reunited David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Brainiac served as the intergalactic super genius threatening the heroes.
Lars Eidinger, Aaron Pierre, Nathan Fillion, Milly Alcock, Isabela Merced and Skyler Gisondo also joined. Gunn confirmed principal photography wrapped, suggesting Maridueña likely filmed his scenes. When asked about wearing the suit again, Maridueña teased, “I’m sure it’ll be great when that happens.”
Practical Magic 2 also gave him another unforgettable experience. He called working with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman “surreal” and filled his journal with memories after their first day together. The sequel hit theaters September 11 and followed Sally, Gillian and their family battling a generational curse. Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, Cassie Bradley, Joey King, Maisie Williams and Lee Pace also appeared.
Susanne Bier directed from a script by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett and Kelly Marcel.
