“I was affected by it”: The Karate Kid Star Ralph Macchio Inspired Xolo Maridueña to Take Up Blue Beetle in a Surprising Way
Xolo Maridueña who is now preparing for his forthcoming DC Studios film Blue Beetle, is best recognized for his work on Netflix’s profitable and popular show Cobra Kai. Blue Beetle will be the first film from DC Universe, which will be directed by new co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The actor recently urged fans to see the superhero film when it is released, announcing that he will no longer advertise it to express his support for the SAG-AFTRA strike. But, before the strike began, the actor revealed what inspired him to play Jamie Reyes. Let us find out more.
Xolo Maridueña credits his Cobra Kai co-stars for setting an example of professionalism
Actor Xolo Maridueña, who appeared as Miguel Diaz on Netflix’s Cobra Kai alongside actors William Zabka and Ralph Macchio who had appeared in The Karate Kid as well revealed in an interview with ET that his co-stars had set a great example of professionalism and camaraderie for him to be motivated.
He said, “Both William Zabka and Ralph Macchio displayed what it means to be number one on the call sheet, with the way they carried themselves and the way they interacted with everyone. Not only the cast, but the crew, too; they made everyone feel like they belonged. I was affected by it, and it made me confident in being an actor and as a child who was a little nervous as to what this world was like.”
The actor added that when it came down to Blue Beetle, he felt it was his chance to be number one on the call sheet and all he wanted to do was make everyone feel like they had made him feel. Maridueña noted that he wanted to come to set as the most prepared and most exhilarated and ready to receive everyone’s love and vice versa.
Read this: Xolo Maridueña’s DCU Superhero Has a Big Connection With Batman in ‘Blue Beetle’
Xolo Maridueña on being surprised by the authenticity of Jamie Reyes in Blue Beetle
During the interview, the actor who is not only going to appear in his first superhero movie but also his first ever major movie was asked if there, was something that surprised him, to which he said that reading the script surprised him the most and how far the writers went into writing the character to make him feel as authentic as they could.
He explained, “This is a Latino character, and I was curious how far we were going to lean into it, what elements we were going to show. How were we going to deliver on that big ask? Honestly, I was just jaw-droppingly blown away. It was a cathartic experience reading the script because I had the realization of my whole upbringing.”
Maridueña added that the family characters in the movie felt natural to him even though they are not his real family, adding that he could understand every character and felt familial love. He was surprised at how well the writers and makers were able to capture that to make him or the other actors feel authentic.
Read this: Warner Bros Makes Another Batgirl Blunder After Canceling Leslie Grace’s DCU Debut Movie
Xolo Maridueña on future of Jamie Reyes in DCU
During the conversation, the actor asked if he had an update on what the future holds for his character in the DC Universe, to which he said that he would love to do 12 more years of Blue Beetle because it was just so much fun filming the movie.
He also acknowledged that he did have a chance to speak to Gunn and Safran and they were pleased and excited about their project, especially when it’s going to be the first movie by DCU.
The Cobra Kai actor added, “I’m excited to see what they have in mind and how Blue Beetle and the rest of his family might loop into the rest. But my heart is already so fulfilled with this movie. If we do 20 of these movies and 40 cameos or if it’s just this one, what’s most exciting to me is the opportunity for people to see it and have little kids everywhere saying, “Oh my gosh, this guy looks like me. I can be a hero, too.”
The actor has urged fans to watch the movie because he said the future of the movie depends upon how good this one does.
Blue Beetle opens in theaters on Aug. 18.
Source: ET
