Blue Beetle is no longer the lowest-grossing 2023 DC Extended Universe film at the domestic box office.
According to box office analyst Luiz Fernando, Blue Beetle grossed $2.3 million on Labor Day, raising its domestic box office total to $58.7 million. This is enough to beat Shazam! Fury of the Gods' $57.6 million, which the DC sequel earned over its entire U.S. run. Blue Beetle has plenty of gas left in the tank too, with the young superhero's solo film eyeing a final domestic box office in the $70 million range. Internationally, however, Fury of the Gods still reigns supreme with $76.2 million to Blue Beetle's $45.9 million.
In Blue Beetle, "college graduate Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab." The synopsis continues, "When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE."
Blue Beetle Will Appear in James Gunn's DC Universe
Although Blue Beetle will be considered a box office flop given its low worldwide gross compared to other superhero flicks, the character still has a bright future in James Gunn's forthcoming DC Universe. Gunn has already confirmed that Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, who is portrayed by Xolo Maridueña, will be an "amazing part of the DCU going forward." While it is unknown if Blue Beetle will receive a sequel or simply appear in other character's projects, the movie's director, Ángel Manuel Soto, previously revealed that he has ideas for a sequel, such as sending Jaime to find/rescue Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, who was teased as being alive in the final moments of the DCEU entry.
George Lopez's Casting Changed Uncle Rudy
Despite Blue Beetle's box office struggles, the movie has been well-received by critics and fans. The cast's performances have been particularly praised, especially George Lopez as Jaime's Uncle Rudy. However, concept artist Phil Boutte recently revealed that Lopez wasn't the first choice to play the conspiracy theorist who serves as a mentor to the young superhero. "One of the things that was a surprise for us was George Lopez. Lopez, they had him in mind, but it wasn't initially him. It was going to be somebody that was skinnier and wiry. His look, the mullet and all that? Just imagine an aged Mexican rocker," Boutte said. "And then George came in, and then Mayes was doing the fittings with him and everything and going back and forth and they were finding his character. Those elements strangely still worked and it was just hilarious."
Blue Beetle is currently playing in theaters.
Source: X