Latinx organizations have come to the support of Warner Bros. film Blue Beetle and other upcoming projects highlighting Latinx stories and characters in light of the entertainment strikes happening in Hollywood.
Variety reports that 27 Latino Hollywood organizations, including the LA Collab, National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), and the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), have signed an open letter promoting the hashtag #SupportLatinoCreatives in order to bring light to the importance of Latino stories and creatives in the industry. The open letter specifically addresses how Latino creatives, such as Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto, haven’t been able to promote their work during the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes; the initiative behind the hashtag is to “amplify the work that countless Latino artsts have worked so hard to create.”
The letter opens with a statement about the importance of Latino stories, stating, “Stories are more than entertainment. They are a powerful tool for social change that fuels our collective movement to build a more equitable, just world for those who have been historically underrepresented and marginalized. Actors, writers, and directors are essential to this work. As we watch them do what they do best, we are reminded that their art influences how people think and feel about our communities–both at home and aborad.”
“While we’re encouraged by some of the changes we have seen in recent years, we continue to deal with the repercussions from years of being actively erased and invisible on screen,” the letter continues. “…Actors and writers deserve a deal that protects their work and livelihoods, so we will continue to support them as they fight for better treatment and fair compensation. And since we represent a rapidly growing demographic with tremendous influence over the global cultural landscape, we also remain dedicated to recognizing and celebrating their artistic excellence and its invaluable role in reflecting our community and culture on screen. For the sake of current and future generations of Latinos, we will not delay our progress any longer.”
Directed by Charm City Kings helmer Angel Manuel Soto, Xolo Maridueña stars in the film as Jaime Reyes, who becomes the Blue Beetle after finding a mysterious scarab. According to the official description:
Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.
The film also stars Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon and George Lopez.
