DC is at a crossroads. While The Flash put an end to the DC Extended Universe that kicked off a decade earlier with Man of Steel, James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe won’t officially begin until Superman: Legacy flies into theater in July 2025 (Hollywood strikes allowing). But before any of that can happen, DC still has a few loose threads to tie up. There’s an Aquaman sequel scheduled for December, but before then, a brand new hero will join this discombobulated cinematic universe. Enter: The Blue Beetle.

From rising indie director Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is that rare thing in the world of interconnected superhero franchises: a well-built standalone movie. With deep roots in Latin American culture and a tone that blends Paul Verhoeven’s Robocop with Marvel’s quip-based comedy (before it wore out its welcome), DC’s latest movie succeeds entirely on its own terms. No cameos or MacGuffins in sight, just vibes.

“We're less than two years away from the launch of our last new internal combustion engine vehicle,” Reeder tells Inverse of his work with the premium automaker. “We’ll continue to produce much of the existing ICE model lineup into the early 2030s, but the fact that Audi’s last new combustion powered vehicles will launch in early 2026 — and everything after that will be plug-in electric — is the single most important reference point and proof point that we have as a company. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, it’s remarkable.”