This article appears in the new issue ofDEN OF GEEKmagazine.
He quickly found out, though, that the conversation was not about that.
The Blue Beetle, a Latino superhero.
LikeBatman, Dan Garret is a hero driven by revenge.
And his mantle came from the scarab-shaped symbol he wore on his chest.
But Ted wasnt the last person to take on the mantle of Blue Beetle.
This year, Jaime finally makes the jump to the big screen in SotosBlue Beetle.
I just wanna provide for my family; I dont need it, more power, more problems!
As he explains, Hes not going to save the world yet; he doesnt deserve to yet.
Khaji is the symbiotic alien who gives Jaime his powers and makes him the titular Blue Beetle.
Soto first met the youngCobra Kaistar, Xolo Mariduena, at Sundance while showing his filmCharm City Kings.
Mariduena made an immediate impact.
He was just super real; that always stuck with me.
It was during Covid that the director watchedCobra Kaiand was blown away by Mariduenas performance.
I saw how charming he is and how well people were receiving his authentic self.
It all began to come together.
The fact Mariduena is bilingual was another immediate draw.
And the cherry on top?
The actor already had martial arts experience thanks toCobra Kai.
I was really blessed with a wonderful stunt performer.
Hes doing stuff thats supposed to be fake, but hes really doing it!
Hes doing superhero stuff in real life!
Jaimes journey features an iconic high-tech alien suit.
So whats it like to step into the heros blue alien shoes for the very first time?
Ive got to tell you; it makes you feel different, man.
Theres something about your expression and the way you move that changes.
Luckily, his own experience of being nervous and impressed by the suit helped him shape his young hero.
One of the biggest challenges was crafting a full-face mask that could also emote.
We didnt have the biggest budget in the world, but doing it like this really does help.
And you get a very cool suit!
Ive always wanted to create something I would enjoy, he shares.
If I had Jaimes powers, why would I limit myself?
Why would I limit my imagination?
I have the opportunity to create something iconic.
As a Latino, I embrace anime; I grew up watching anime.
I grew up watching that sword.
Every great superhero has a hometown.
We wanted to have Jaime live in a world that felt like it fit his circumstances, Mariduena explains.
Whether its Batman and Gotham orSupermanand Metropolis, these are cities that are a character in themselves.
Thats where Palmera City comes in.
But there are two sides to Palmera City, the fancy financial district and Jaimes neighborhood.
Jaime comes from the other side of the tracks, the Edge Keys, Soto shares.
Its way more humble.
Working class, struggling families, marginalized communities under the threat of gentrification.
Its one of those things that comes out of our experience, Soto says.
Our families are very nosy!
The experience that we wanted to show was that family is our superpower to some extent.
When were in trouble, the first people we call are our parents.
It was about being able to hone into that and try something new.
Soto is keen to let people know that the movie understands that.
For example, Susan Sarandon plays Victoria Kord, Teds sister, in the film.
A lot of Teds gadgets are also important to the film.
Some of the people around him are fans of Blue Beetle.
And I will already feel 100% fulfilled with everything that Jaime had to offer.
Blue Beetleopens in theaters on Aug. 18.
