James Gunn confirms blue beetle joining new DCU alongside peacemaker in continuity shift

James Gunn confirms Blue Beetle will seamlessly transition into his new DCU, following Peacemaker’s integration.

James Gunn has officially confirmed that Blue Beetle will be part of the rebooted DC Universe (DCU), following a similar path as Peacemaker. Speaking with Rotten Tomatoes about the upcoming second season of Peacemaker, Gunn explained that certain existing DC-era characters do not require a complete overhaul to fit within his new vision. He stated that Blue Beetle, played by Xolo Maridueña, “fits in very nicely” and can be integrated with only minor adjustments, just as Peacemaker was.

According to Gunn, this means that while the events of the Blue Beetle film may be lightly retconned, the character and actor will remain intact. This approach allows the studio to preserve what worked without redoing entire origin stories, a method Gunn has used to transition Peacemaker from The Suicide Squad into his larger DCU plans. The confirmation provides clarity for fans who had been questioning the character’s future after Gunn’s sweeping changes to the DC slate.

The director’s remarks came while promoting Peacemaker season two, which officially launches within the new DCU rather than the old DCEU continuity. The season continues John Cena’s role as the foul-mouthed vigilante but places him in a story with higher stakes, multiversal twists, and deeper emotional themes. Gunn, serving as writer and director for all eight episodes, leads a cast that includes Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.

With Blue Beetle now confirmed and Peacemaker’s second season anchoring the transition, Gunn has signaled how his DCU will blend legacy projects with fresh storytelling. Fans can expect more updates on Blue Beetle’s future as the new cinematic universe develops.