DCU fans’ quirky marketing for Blue Beetle has not gone unnoticed by the film’s titular star Xolo Mariduena. The first title from DC Studios has been severely lacking promotions for its upcoming August release. Sadly, with Actors Strike in motion, the cast will not be engaging in press junkets or making an appearance at the red carpet premiere but the Cobra Kai star hopes fans will continue their promo efforts while acknowledging the hashtag Blue Beetle Battalion.
The internet has taken it upon itself to engage in a meta-irony style marketing for the scarab-wielding DC Comics superhero with Morbius sweep-type memes being circulated around social media. Though unlike the Sony Marvel film’s trend, which was more of a mockery – Xolo Mariduena stans appear to be in favor of its success.
Mariduena shared a video via his Instagram addressing his followers regarding the SAG-AFTRA strike, “SAG striking in solidarity with the writers,” he said. “Because of that reason, I won’t be able to promote the movie”
After sharing his gratitude for his fellow co-stars Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Raoul Max Trujillo, Bruna Marquezine and Angel Manuel Soto to name a few – Xolo directed his message to the supporters and name drops Blue Beetle Battalion, “Y’all are killing it, I won’t be able to promote this movie but you can”. he added. Readers can check it out below.
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While Warner Bros. released the final trailer for the scarab morphing superhero earlier this week, the film has still struggled to appear on cinephile’s radar. Furthermore, the announcement of Gunn’s three new DCU additions for Superman: Legacy happening on the same day overshadowed Blue Beetle.
Warner Bros. has also been criticized for prioritizing Barbie’s marketing over the DC Studios feature. The studio’s pile of debt is being pointed out as the reason behind the lack of promotions for the DCU title, especially after suffering a $200 million loss from The Flash‘s box office failure.
Fortunately, DCU stans are opting for a satirical viral marketing strategy by sharing edited images of Blue themed burgers similar to Spider-Verse 2‘s campaign, scarab featuring merch, Barbie variant Pink Beetle and some even going as far as editing in Beetle alongside Deadpool and Wolverine.
Blue Beetle fans use fake viral marketing campaign tactics to promote during SAG strike
Even so, the general cinema-going audiences aren’t usually engaged with the Pop Culture developments on Twitter. So it remains to be seen if the standalone feature can be a box-office success. With a $100 million production budget – Blue Beetle requires at least $200M to break even.
Hearing Xolo name drop #BlueBeetleBattalion is so SURREAL..so glad he knows he has a whole army to help support and promote this movie for him and the whole cast and crew because they truly deserve it all! #BlueBeetle 🥹💙pic.twitter.com/zLxDSipUhI
— sabrina 🦇 (@nightwaynes) July 14, 2023
#BlueBeetleBattalion is my favourite moment in DC history
Gen Z's unique brand of meta-irony really out here satirising an entire fake viral marketing campaign 😭 pic.twitter.com/LlPIsZFUAu
— ⚡️ Heroes Unbound (@HeroesUnbound) July 10, 2023
Amazing video from our boy, Xolo
You got all the love and support from the #BlueBeetleBattalion, king 💙#BlueBeetle https://t.co/Httg2qyRjI
— Croc | 🦦 #BlueBeetleBattalion (@Croc_Block) July 14, 2023
im hearing all the sexy people in the world are going to see Blue Beetle this August#BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/fvmBI3I9K3
— John Stewart Green Lantern (@LanternJS) July 12, 2023
the Blue Beetle movie looks promising #BlueBeetleBattalion #BlueBeetle #Volkswagen pic.twitter.com/QXk0IDTdx7
— rahalarts.eth (@rahalarts) July 13, 2023
They don’t even know about the #BlueBeetle coffin and toilet😭#BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/TYe6OdrNCi
— Blue Beetle (@fake_BlueBeetle) July 12, 2023
HOLYYY SHITTTT
Red, Yellow and Blue!!! They look so good!!!
Name a more iconic trio, I'll wait #BlueBeetle#BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/tJljxVTFz7
— Pェssmaker 🔆 (@Massive_Peace) July 10, 2023
Listen up #BlueBeetleBattalion! NEW ASMR Blue Beetle Buffet video releases in under 24 Hours!!
SPOILER: IT WAS DELICIOUS 🙌 pic.twitter.com/P8qEyFGPzX
— Keizi Cinema 🏃💥🍿 (@KeiziTV) July 11, 2023
Don’t take my word for it take it from the US president himself #BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/9SQG1ZMECa
— mo (@mofromyt) July 11, 2023
Blue Beetle making a Beetillion at the Box Office 😤#BlueBeetleBattalion https://t.co/rd5SeQlVBZ
— Croc | 🦦 #BlueBeetleBattalion (@Croc_Block) July 9, 2023
#BlueBeetleBattalion #BlueBeetle this Barbie is a superhero whether he likes it or not! PINK BEETLE VARIANT. https://t.co/JNBP1OFey6 pic.twitter.com/2JCaOyXxBB
— codex (@cleosbian) July 14, 2023
This is how I’m pulling up to watch #BlueBeetle on August 18th. #BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/TkHcJKckGa
— Kirby (@comicskirby) July 12, 2023
Ain’t no way! This Blue Beetle Marketing is insane!!! They added a wholes new Blue Beetle mode to Twitter!!!! #BlueBeetleBattalion #BlueBeetle pic.twitter.com/WrM9d9n15x
— Melancholic Dog (@MrMarooned) July 9, 2023
Holy shit! I found the super rare Blue Beetle Curry! I'm so excited to bite in! #BlueBeetle #BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/IH75luVyEU
— Pun Cass Wish (Comic Era) (@puncasswish) July 10, 2023
thank you warner brothers!!! 💙 #BlueBeetle #BlueBeetleBattalion pic.twitter.com/iB2fjZjaSS
— Neb | 🏳️🌈 (@NebsGoodTakes) July 10, 2023
Blue Beetle will arrive in theaters on August 18.
