El Paso not featured in new 'Blue Beetle' movie trailer; here's how fans reacted

There's a definite buzz on social media for the first movie of the Latino superhero Blue Beetle.

El Paso fans, however, might be disappointed that the Sun City is left out of the just-released trailer for the DC comic book superhero. The trailer was released Monday and the film is set to debut Aug. 18 in theaters.

The film, which stars Xolo Maridueña from Netflix's "Cobra Kai," is based on the comic book about a teenager who is from El Paso but later moves to Palmera City after high school graduation. In the comic, the superhero, Jaime Reyes, is chosen by the Scarab as its symbiotic host. The Scarab attaches itself to his spine and gives him a biomechanical blue suit of armor with extraordinary powers.

Where is Blue Beetle from?

The trailer, however, touts Palmera City several times, opening the superhero film with an "I love Palmera City" sign.

Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) has been based in El Paso in comics, cartoons and TV versions since he first appeared in DC comics in 2006. The Mexican American teenager lives with his mom, dad and little sister and has been depicted wearing an El Paso High School T-shirt in comic books.

According to comicbook.com, director Angel Manuel Soto explained the need to create a world for Reyes, much like Gotham for Batman or Metropolis for Superman in a press Q&A along with star Maridueña.

"To bring Palmera City to the screen is fantastic in its own regard because Jaime, as we were discussing, Blue Beetle, the vision was to have Blue Beetle be on the same level as someone like a Superman or a Batman who have Gotham or Metropolis or cities that are the beating hearts of the themes of the comics, and to create a world for Jaime, and to create a world where he feels he fits was really such a humbling and honoring experience as well," Maridueña said.

Soto added: "We introduced Palmera City as trying to put Jaime in a city that's kind of like the same thing, like Xolo said. Superman has Metropolis, Central City for the Flash, Gotham. Why doesn't he have his own city? He's *#$^ dope.

"And that doesn't mean that El Paso is not dope. El Paso is awesome, and El Paso is very much present in the life of the family. But in service of positioning Blue Beetle as a potential leader in the DCU, Palmera City came to life, and thanks to Palmera City as well and the bigger world-building around it is what got us the theatrical," Soto said.

There is some internet chatter that there was some filming done in El Paso. Comicbasics.com states most of the filming was done in the Atlanta metropolitan area, precisely, in Decatur, Georgia. And some filming also was done in Los Angeles, El Paso and Puerto Rico.

'Blue Beetle' cast

The film does make sure to highlight plenty of Latin talent. Here's a quick glimpse on who to expect on the big screen.

· Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax the Indestructible Man

· George Lopez as Uncle Rudy Reyes

· Elpidia Carrillo as Rocio Reyes, Jaime's mother

· Damían Alcázar as Alberto Reyes, Jaime's father

· Belissa Escobedo as Milagros Reyes, Jaime's sister

· Adriana Barraza as Nana, Jaime's grandmother

· Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Jaime's love interest

· Harvey Guillén as Dr. Sanchez

Watch the Blue Beetle trailer

Twitter reaction to Blue Beetle not featuring El Paso

María Cortés González, whose favorite superhero is Spider-Man, may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'Blue Beetle' El Paso: DC movie trailer disappoints El Pasoans