Development of a film featuring Reyes began by the end of November with Dunnet-Alcocer attached as screenwriter. It is the first live-action superhero film with a Latino lead. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and became the most streamed film on Warner Bros. Its box office performance was attributed to factors such as the Hollywood labor disputes , the franchise's imminent reboot with the DC Universe DCU , and Hurricane Hilary.
An animated follow-up series set in the DCU is in development. Meanwhile, Jaime Reyes returns to his hometown of Palmera City after graduating from Gotham Law University , only to learn that his family is facing eviction from their home due to financial difficulties. Jaime's sister Milagro manages to get him a job at Victoria's mansion. However, both are fired after Jaime stops a confrontation between Victoria and her niece Jenny.
Jenny later tells Jaime to meet her at Kord Tower the next day to discuss a "job opportunity". She steals the Scarab and avoids security by giving it to Jaime, hidden inside a Big Belly Burger to-go box. At home, Jaime's family convinces him to open the box, and when Jaime ends up holding the Scarab, it activates and fuses with him, encasing him in an armored exoskeleton that launches him from the stratosphere to all over the city.
Jaime tracks down Jenny for answers, rescuing her from Victoria's armed forces. She tells Jaime the Scarab is a sentient weapon and it has chosen Jaime to be its host. The Scarab, revealed to be named Khaji-Da, temporarily takes over Jaime's body and battles Carapax, but Jaime refuses to let it kill Carapax.
Rudy and Jenny help incapacitate Carapax, then escape with Jaime to Jenny's childhood home. Jenny uses Ted's watch to activate his secret laboratory and reveals that Ted was originally a vigilante named Blue Beetle who spent his life studying Khaji-Da before mysteriously disappearing, leaving his company in Victoria's hands.
