“I don’t have the build”: ‘Cobra Kai’ Star Who Dreamt of Playing Batman Instead Got Stuck in a $130 Million Superhero Flop

Xolo Maridueña is one of the rising stars from Cobra Kai who played Miguel Diaz. The actor landed one of his dream roles, only for the project to flop at the end, and his journey to superhero stardom became quite turbulent when he stepped into the DC Universe. 

What could’ve been a great historic moment went unnoticed due to the movie’s poor box office performance. But what were Maridueña’s thoughts before he ended up in this multi-million dollar flop?

Xolo Maridueña’s superhero dream: from Cobra Kai to Blue Beetle

Xolo Maridueña’s achievement of starring in and as Blue Beetle wasn’t just a career milestone but a feat that was deeply personal. In a 2022 interview with Schön! Magazine, the actor revealed one role that he always wanted to play, and it was none other than our Caped Crusader.

Regardless of whether or not you’re an actor, everyone dreams of being a superhero. I dreamt of being Batman even though I don’t have the build. But I did look up to the Latino superheroes for sure. I think there’s inherently something really inspiring about seeing someone that looks like you, even if it’s just on a page.  

So even if he didn’t have a chance of being Batman, landing the role of Jamie Reyes was still a full-circle moment for the actor. The Cobra Kai star grew up in a household where Latino superheroes like Blue Beetle were admired, and his mother, being a “big comic book fan,” introduced him to characters like Nova and Araña.

Xolo Maridueña on the representation of the Latino community 

Xolo Maridueña was always aware of how significant this role was, as he had the opportunity to be the lead in the first Latino-led superhero film in the DC Universe. It seemed like a project that could have made history, and the actor also acknowledged the weight of this responsibility.

He stated, “It’s supposed to be something bigger than myself,” but all his dreams were tainted when the film struggled at the box office, and his portrayal of Jaime Reyes did not resonate with fans. Despite its interesting premise and  Maridueña’s heartfelt performance, the movie only made $130 million worldwide on a budget of $120 million (via The Numbers). 

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But regardless of what the box office results were, one must acknowledge that the studio took a step towards representation and inclusion. While Blue Beetle may not have been the blockbuster that DC hoped for, it has paved the way for more diverse storytelling in the superhero genre. 

You can watch Blue Beetle on HBO Max.

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