It seems that Angel Manuel Soto was determined to direct a DC film, but Blue Beetle wasn’t always what he had in mind.
Speaking with Den of Geek to promote the upcoming film, Soto shared what he originally had in mind.
“I wanted to pitch ideas, and one of them was the Bane origin story,” said Soto. “I always thought that there was something interesting in exploring his reality and how a character like that comes to be.” When he received a call from Warner Bros., he said “the conversation was not about that. There’s this character that we’ve been developing for a couple of years. The Blue Beetle, a Latino superhero.”
This isn’t the first time someone has discussed a solo Bane project. Most famously, Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) has wanted to play the role for years. He pitched Warner Bros. on the project back in 2021, but nothing came of those discussions. Considering his relationship with James Gunn – the new co-chair of DC Studios – one would think he would have another shot, but Bautista has shared he feels that is unlikely.
Bautista told Insider earlier in 2023 that he had spoken to Gunn in the past about the role, but not since he had taken over DC Studios. “I think the direction he’s leaning in, completely rebooting that whole universe, he’s starting from scratch and starting younger and fresher and I think you need to do that,”
Blue Beetle hits theaters on Aug. 18.
