The superhero film landscape witnessed a unique addition with Blue Beetle, directed by the talented Angel Manuel Soto. Even though former Blue Beetle Ted Kord was subtly hinted at but never fully revealed on-screen, Soto has an exciting vision for this role. In a recent conversation with The Digital Fix, the director expressed his aspiration to see Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis bring Kord to life.
Speaking about his ideal Ted Kord, Angel Manuel Soto revealed: “My dream cast for Ted Kord has always been Jason Sudeikis. But at the end of the day, it’s about who’s best for the character, who loves what we’re trying to do. And who’s willing to see Jaime Reyes’ story continue.”
Choosing Jason Sudeikis could be seen as a strategic move. He has witnessed a meteoric rise in popularity thanks to his role in the award-winning series Ted Lasso. With his undeniable charisma, comedic timing, and proven ability to tap into the emotional depth of his characters, Sudeikis aligns with what many would envision for Ted Kord.
Over the weekend, Blue Beetle debuted with a tally of $25.4 million in North America. When combined with its international earnings, an additional $18 million from 63 different markets, the global opening stands at a somewhat underwhelming $43 million.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has confirmed that Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes and a handful of other characters from Blue Beetle will continue within the canon of the DCU. Although this film was made under the previous regime, Gunn’s confirmation regarding the future of these characters bodes well for future stories. After all, a Booster Gold series was announced as part of DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, and given that character’s ties to both Ted Kord and Jaime Reyes, it looks possible that we will see those three interact together sometime in the future.
Who is DC’s Blue Beetle?
Blue Beetle is one of DC’s lesser-known heroes, but he has a dedicated fanbase nonetheless. Created in 1939 by Charles Wojtkowski, Blue Beetle has gone through several iterations over the years. The Jaime Reyes version of the character was introduced during the events of 2006’s Infinite Crisis and quickly became a fan-favorite.
In the pages of DC Comics, Jaime Reyes is a teenager from El Paso, Texas. Jaime discovers a scarab beetle-shaped device that bonds with his body, giving him access to an advanced suit of armor and various powers. He becomes the latest in a long line of Blue Beetles and must learn to balance his newfound abilities with his everyday life.
The full cast of Blue Beetle also includes Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Trujillo, Susan Sarandon and Harvey Guillén.