The DC Extended Universe knows this all too well, and it’s evident once again with Blue Beetle. George Lopez almost didn’t land his role as ‘Uncle Rudy,’ the mentor to the titular character Jaime Reyes, portrayed by the charismatic Xolo Maridueña.
As Phil Boutte, the concept artist behind Blue Beetle, spilled the beans, the original vision for ‘Uncle Rudy’ was someone, well, “skinnier.”
Casting Shocker: George Lopez as ‘Uncle Rudy’ in Blue Beetle
When you think of George Lopez, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably not an old Mexican rockstar, right? That’s precisely the twist that had the Blue Beetle creative team scratching their heads initially.
According to Phil Boutte, the man behind the movie’s concept art, George Lopez, was not the first choice for the role of Uncle Rudy. Nope, they had someone completely different in mind – someone “skinnier and wiry.”
“One of the things that was a surprise for us was George Lopez. Lopez, they had him in mind, but it wasn’t initially him. It was going to be somebody that was skinnier and wiry like an old Mexican rockstar. Lopez’s traits contributed to the character in a hilarious way, and it worked out in the end.”
As it turns out, George Lopez brought a unique charm and humor to ‘Uncle Rudy’ that the team hadn’t anticipated. The actor’s unexpected casting was a gamble that paid off brilliantly, giving the character a personality that’s bound to leave a lasting impression.
Batman Gets a ‘Fascist’ Label
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the Batcave. In a jaw-dropping moment, Blue Beetle takes a bold swing at one of DC’s most beloved icons – Batman. In a scene sending shockwaves through the fandom, ‘Uncle Rudy’ doesn’t hold back, branding Batman as a “fascist.”
This audacious move has sparked heated debates and conversations galore. Some fans applaud the filmmakers for tackling complex social and political issues head-on, even in a superhero movie. Others are shaking their heads, feeling that Batman deserves more respect.
Xolo Maridueña, behind the new Blue Beetle mask, cannot avoid controversy. In a recent interview, he shed some light on the contentious moment, saying, “If you felt some type of way about it, that was the point.”
“If you felt some type of way about it, that was the point. So I think if you agree with it, if you don’t agree with it, it was placed there for a reason.”
Maridueña’s words imply that the filmmakers strategically planted this line to provoke discussions and stir the pot. So, whether you’re Team Batman, Team Beetle, or a casual fan, Blue Beetle is ready to turn the superhero genre on its cape-clad head.
Blue Beetle is now in theatres.
Source: ScreenRant
