“Cobra Kai” Star is the “Blue Beetle”

“Cobra Kai” breakout actor Xolo Mariduena is in talks to star in the lead role of Jaime Reyes in the “Blue Beetle” film for HBO Max, Warner Bros. and DC Films.

The project marks the first DC superhero movie led by a Latino character, though DC has had several Latino characters in its films before while both Supergirl and Batgirl in upcoming films are being played by Latina actresses. Mariduena is of Mexican, Cuban and Ecuadorian heritage.

The story centers on the 2006 Jamie Reyes iteration of the character – a Mexican-American teenager who discovers the Blue Beetle scarab on the way home from school with two of his best friends Paco and Brenda, the trinket half-buried in a disused lot.

Reyes takes the scarab home, curious as to what it might be. That night, it comes alive and grafts itself to the base of Jaime’s spine – providing him with a suit of extraterrestrial armor that can be modified to enhance his speed and strength as well as to create weapons, wings, and shields.

“Charm City Kings” director Angel Manuel Soto is set to direct from a script by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (“Miss Bala,” “Scarface”) and the project is targeting a shoot to kick off early next year. John Rickard is producing for HBO Max.