Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto says he "borrowed" director of photography Pawel Pogorzelski and composer Bobby Krlic, both associated with fellow filmmaker Ari Aster.
Soto recalled how it all transpired while speaking to Collider, saying that although Pogorzelski was Polish and Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle and his family are Mexican, Pogorzelski "felt like this was his family" and "his story." Soto further remarked, "[Pogorzelski] had lost his dad, and this meant so much to him, and he felt connected to the Reyes family, and that type of understanding at an emotional level from an artist is what I like to tap into. Same thing with Bobby Krlic, the composer, who also did Midsommar and Beau Is Afraid – I'm taking all of Ari Aster's guys! They connected, and we talked about the story, and they would cry about how much it meant to them. That's the type of creative relationship that I like to have."
Family being a pivotal element of Blue Beetle was a topic previously discussed by the movie's leading man, Xolo Maridueña, who commented that a big change from superheroes that he had seen and happened to be one that he liked was Jaime getting his powers in front of his family. "I think it helps keep the story so honest and truthful from the get-go," he added. "Hiding from mom and dad that I'm Blue Beetle, once that is out of the question, it's such a fun ride. It's a journey the whole family can take together."
However, Soto was initially reluctant to direct Blue Beetle due to his disdain for Hollywood having "a history of misrepresenting [Latinos] or putting us in a box of stereotypes." Luckily, producer Galen Vaisman assured him that wouldn't happen as the movie's writer, Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, was also Latino. After reading the script, Soto agreed to helm the project as he could relate to Blue Beetle's story.
As for future cinematic outings for the Azure Avenger, Maridueña said that Jaime having more adventures on the silver screen is "up to the audience," with them watching the movie being the key factor. Tying into this, DC Studios co-president and co-CEO James Gunn would subsequently note in an Instagram post that Jaime will be "an amazing part of the [DC Universe franchise] going forward!"
Blue Beetle is now in theaters.
Source: Collider