In the upcoming DC movie, which arrives in theaters in 2023, the 21-year-old actor will play Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, a teenager from El Paso, Texas, who comes across an alien scarab that gives him a super-powered suit. Of course, Maridueña’s nerves about joining the project aren’t unfounded: not only will Blue Beetle be the silver screen debut for the superhero, but it will also be the first time that DC casts a Latino lead.

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While speaking to Variety at the season 5 premiere of Cobra Kai, Maridueña revealed that he felt “a lot of nerves and exhilaration” about embodying the character. “Excited is not the first word that comes to my brain,” he continued. “It is nervous excitement, it’s antsiness. It’s the anticipation of knowing that you’re on the brink of something potentially big, but it still feels really intimate because you’re just with the cast and the crew.” The actor also shared his excitement regarding DC’s inclusion of a Latino superhero. “I can’t wait for people to see one of the — if not the first — Latino-led superhero movies ever,” he said.

During the interview, the outlet asked Maridueña to share his thoughts on Warner Bros. scrapping plans to release Batgirl, which starred Afro-Latina actress Leslie Grace in the titular role. The studio reportedly canceled the film when it entered post-production because it did not fit their DC strategy. “I don’t know if I’m at liberty to speak about it. Leslie [Grace] said everything that needed to be said on the topic. I think she’s really the one — yeah, that’s what I’m gonna say,” Maridueña replied.

In the meantime, the actor has been busy with the fifth season of Cobra Kai, which hit Netflix on September 9. The season picks up after the shocking events of the All Valley Tournament, where Cobra Kai won after Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) bribed the referee. In addition to Maridueña and Griffith, Cobra Kai season 5 sees the return of Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Martin Kove, Yuji Okumoto, Jacob Bertrand, and Peyton List. The series also welcomes Alicia Hannah-Kim and Sean Kanan.

Blue Beetle arrives in theaters on August 18, 2023.

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Source: Variety