Much to James Gunn’s enthusiasm, Blue Beetle is the newest DC project that was released in theaters on August 18, 2023. The film received mostly positive reviews from fans and critics. Most of them noted the accurate and authentic representation of the Puerto Rican community and the heartfelt family dynamic of the film as the main attraction of the film. This notion was shared by one of the actors in the film, Raoul Max Trujillo, who recently talked about the film and its refreshing take on representation and dark themes.
Blue Beetle is the ‘Black Panther‘ for Puerto Ricans
In a recent interview with Heroic Hollywood, Raoul Max Trujillo who plays Ignacio Carapax in Blue Beetle, talked about how being in the film was a refreshing experience for him. Being a film with predominantly Latino actors, the film provided a different experience with regard to culture, characters, family dynamics, and the kind of narratives that can be told. In his words, he said,
“Being part of a project where the focus is on a culture that’s outside of the Hollywood Anglo-Saxon culture that we’ve seen our whole lives in everything… it’s just so touching and warming.”
He also emphasized how the film has dark elements while juggling between light and the emotional moments between characters saying “As a DC movie, this has darkness in it, but it’s also got this incredible heart and it’s incredible light”. Additionally, he adds how historically Puerto Rico was considered a slave colony of the USA and how shooting for the film on the island made the crew feel a revolutionary spirit and the awareness of being a part of history by shooting there.
James Gunn also praised the movie saying how the character of Blue Beetle “would be an amazing part of the DCU going forward!”
Hollywood Embracing More Diverse Stories of Indigenous People
Hollywood has time and again been criticized for its long-standing white-washing nature and the majority of its stories being about the Whites. In the process, they undermine or underestimate individuals and narratives regarding other indigenous culture. In recent times this trend is slowly changing as stories about other communities and cultures including the Africans, Asians and and now the Latino community are being showcased with care and authenticity.
Trujillo’s comments about the past subjugation of the Puerto Ricans by the US emphasize the journey of slavery and exploitation that the Puerto Ricans have historically faced. Blue Beetle marks a sharp evolution to this narrative where this community is represented and portrayed with great love and care with a culturally rich narrative on an elevated platform which is of a superhero film.
Blue Beetle Unfortunately is Not Making Any Noise Despite the Positivity
Despite the positive reviews, Blue Beetle had an underwhelming response at the box office in its opening weekend. The film starring Xolo Maridueña in the lead role, alongside a supporting cast that includes Adriana Barraza, Damían Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, and Susan Sarandon among others, only earned a disappointing $25 million in its opening weekend. This made the film the lowest opening DC film in a long time. This continues the trend of the dismal performances of recent DC projects, signaling audiences’ lack of interest in the DC brand and the need to maybe reboot the whole universe. One can only hope that James Gunn’s new DCU brings back the glory days of DC.
Source: Heroic Hollywood
