Is Blue Beetle Canon in the DCU? James Gunn’s Answer Leaves a Twist

Blue Beetle fans got great news this year: Xolo Maridueña will return in Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow (2027). But a fresh comment from DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn suggests…

By Reetam Bodhak

October 22, 2026

3 min read

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Blue Beetle fans got great news this year: Xolo Maridueña will return in Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow (2027). But a fresh comment from DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn suggests the 2023 movie may not be part of that story. Here is what he said and what it could mean.

What James Gunn Said?

While announcing Mackenzie Davis as Big Barda and Josh Hutcherson as Scott Free for the animated Mister Miracle series, Gunn answered a few fan questions on Threads. One fan asked whether Ted Kord had been friends with Booster Gold before disappearing, assuming the film is canon. Gunn replied, “Blue Beetle the character is canon,” which reads as a careful hint that the film’s events may not be.

Blue Beetle’s DCU Status

Question	Current Answer
Is the character canon?	Yes, per Gunn
Is the 2023 movie canon?	Unclear, likely not fully
Return project	Man of Tomorrow (2027)
Lead actor	Xolo Maridueña
Animated series	Originally slated for this year
Possible model	Similar to The Suicide Squad, described as an “imperfect memory”

What Does “Imperfect Memory” Mean?

Gunn has used that phrase before for The Suicide Squad. In practice, it means some elements of a past project may still count while others don’t. For Blue Beetle, that raises a big question about Ted Kord. The film’s post-credits scene hinted that he is alive, but if the movie isn’t fully canon, that tease may not carry over.

What Could Happen to Ted Kord?

The source lays out a few possibilities, all speculation:

A different story: In the comics, Maxwell Lord killed Ted Kord, but Gunn has said the DCU’s Lord, played by Sean Gunn, will never be that villainous.
A fresh fate: The DCU has already shown it will remove veteran heroes, as with Hal Jordan in Lanterns.
The mentor route: After the comics’ Rebirth, Ted became a mentor to Jaime Reyes, and a similar discovery could happen between films.
The animated series: It could have bridged the gap and set up Ted’s role before Man of Tomorrow.

Why This Matters to Fans?

Jaime Reyes’ story depends on how much of his origin carries forward. If he has to figure out the Scarab alone, it could add drama, but it also means the film’s mystery may go unanswered. For now, Maridueña’s return should offer at least a few clues.

Want more DC and superhero updates? Explore Technosports and our Hollywood news for the latest. To revisit the origin story, check out Blue Beetle.