Former DCEU Star Confirms Return in James Gunn's 'Superman' Sequel

James Gunn‘s upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, has recently wrapped principal photography, setting the stage for a massive cinematic team-up as David Corenswet’s Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor reluctantly join forces against the cosmic threat of Lars Eidinger’s Brainiac. Alongside returning favorites like Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and members of the Justice Gang like Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, the highly anticipated 2027 sequel is shaping up to be an incredibly packed expansion of the universe. However, the burgeoning roster isn’t just pulling from the immediate circle of Metropolis, as a former DCEU star has officially confirmed their return to the new DCU mainline.

Sitting firmly within Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, Man of Tomorrow is positioned as a pivotal, foundational pillar for the fresh cinematic continuity. Gunn recently confirmed that the upcoming sequel will operate in “real-time” relative to its theatrical debut, anchoring the narrative in the summer of 2027. Consequently, a time jump of roughly two years will have passed since the events of the first Superman movie, directly setting the stage for unexpected alliances and fresh faces to emerge across the franchise.

While the core narrative centers around Superman and Luthor, the looming threat of Brainiac naturally opens the door for other established heroes to step up to the plate. One such hero is Blue Beetle, as Xolo Maridueña has officially confirmed his role as Jaime Reyes, marking his first major appearance since his 2023 standalone debut. The actor addressed the news while speaking to Variety, as he admitted that he was surprised when Gunn personally called him about joining the star-studded cast of Man of Tomorrow:

“I was in Japan with my friends; nobody knew anything. And I just see, like the Bat-phone, my phone rings [and it’s] James Gunn. All my friends look at me, and I had to leave the room. I came back, and I was like, ‘Off the record, don’t tell anyone, but we’re coming back,’ and I’m so excited for people to see where Blue Beetle ends up.”

Maridueña added that he felt incredibly “humbled” when he was offered the opportunity to reprise his role as the scarab-powered hero in the new DCU – a move that seemingly secures his place in the future of the universe. “There’s never a guarantee with anything,” he told the outlet. “I mean, you know this, stuff flips on a dime, and I know that it’s not always like a merit-based system. So, there’s so much that’s out of my control, but I am just the most humbled of James and the greater DC team for folding us in, Indiana Jones style.”

Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes in Blue Beetle

Maridueña’s integration into Man of Tomorrow marks a substantial step forward for both the actor and the character, officially elevating Jaime Reyes from a localized, family-driven origin story into a powerhouse player on the galactic stage – though it is not yet known how large a role he will play in the DCU film. Audiences will be able to track his blockbuster evolution and see exactly how the hero handles the ultimate cosmic conflict when the Superman sequel opens in theaters on Jul. 9, 2027, two years after its predecessor.