Blade


The Blade movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will star Mahershala Ali in the title role. It is set to reboot the character from the Wesley Snipes version.

Blade Cast

In some ways, it feels like we’ve been waiting for Marvel’s Blade ever since the MCU started. In 2019 Marvel completed its Phase 3 slate with Avengers: Endgame, a movie 12 years in the making. It was a fitting and satisfying end to everything that came before the grand finale. So obviously the burning question is: What’s next? What is Phase 4 all about? What will the Marvel movie order ahead hold for this mighty cinematic universe?

Marvel President Kevin Feige presented Phase 4 at the San Diego Comic-Con which included a slate that will hit both the big and small screen, to fans’ delight.

But what really caught everyone’s ear was Feige’s surprise announcement that hinted at what Marvel’s Phase 5 will include. Blade, which originally had Wesley Snipes in the starring role, would now be getting a Marvel reboot. What’s more surprising is that Snipes will not reprise his role as the superhero daywalker. The role of Blade has been given to Mahershala Ali.

MAHERSHALA ALI IS THE NEW BLADE

 Marvel’s new Blade: Mahershala Ali

Enter Ali, who just came off his second Academy win. He called Feige to ask for a meeting and as Feige told the Hollywood Reporter, “When Mahershala calls, you answer.” And answer he did. Ali went in and got right to his point. He wanted to do Blade, BE Marvel’s Blade, and that was pretty much all Feige had to hear.

Mahershala Ali is a two-time Academy Award winner, winning first for Best Supporting Actor in Barry Jenkins’ 2016 film Moonlight. He brought home his second Academy Award, and added a Golden Globe win, for his portrayal of Don Shirley in the 2018 drama, The Green Book.

Here’s one fan’s concept of how Ali could look as Marvel’s new Blade…

While Ali has been in Hollywood for a little over a decade, it’s only been the past few years that he has seen his star rise. His first major movie role was David Fincher’s 2008 release of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. His supporting role on Netflix’s political thriller House of Cards gained Ali more attention and he also starred in the final two films as Boggs in The Hunger Game series.

He was also on HBO’s acclaimed series True Detective playing Detective Wayne Hays. Ali is no stranger to the Marvel Universe. He provided the voice of Uncle Aaron in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and was also Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes in Netflix’s Luke Cage.

MAHERSHALA ALI FIRST APPEARED AS BLADE IN ETERNALS

Though we never get to actually see him, Mahershala Ali did come into the Marvel Cinematic Universe prior to the Blade reboot. It was in the end scene for Eternals which you can see above. In it, Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman is accessing the Ebony Blade for the first time and suddenly he hears someone ask, “You sure you’re ready for that?”

That voice is Mahershala Ali and it is his first credit as Blade in this universe. It sent some shockwaves through the fandom knowing that he was connected to the MCU in this way and suggests that the character could be considerably more powerful than what we saw with the Wesley Snipes version.

THE FIRST BLADE REBOOT DIRECTOR, BASSAM TARIQ LEFT THE FILM

In something of a shocking move, the original director of the Blade reboot, Bassim Tariq, announced that he would be leaving the film before production started. The official reason for the move wasn’t released by Marvel, but Giant Freakin Robot had the exclusive that Tariq had come into conflict with Ali about script rewrites.

Apparently, the two weren’t seeing eye-to-eye on certain elements, and that Tariq ended up deciding to walk away. Additionally, it was reported the script itself had major issues including being only 90 pages long and having just two action scenes. This has left the movie certainly in a state of flux for the time being. Leading to…

MARVEL’S BLADE REBOOT IS DELAYED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

With Bassim Tariq leaving Marvel’s Blade reboot and the script maybe needing some rewrites, the decision was made to delay the film from its original date. At first, the plan had been for it to hit the big screen on November 3, 2023, but that’s no longer the case. Now, it will be (hopefully) on September 6, 2024. Deadpool 3 is now taking over the 2023 slot.

WESLEY SNIPES WAS OKAY WITH A NEW LEAD FOR MARVEL’S BLADE REBOOT

Before Marvel's Blade
Wesley Snipes as Blade

It wasn’t long until the original day-walker came out, backing Marvel’s move and showing nothing but love for the new Blade.

He wrote this to ComicBook.com. “To all the DAYWALKERS losing their minds right now, chillaaxx.  Although the news comes as a surprise, it’s ALL GOOD. Such is the ‘business’ of ‘entertainment!’ Much peace to the MCU crew – always a fan. Honor and respect to the grandmaster Stan. Congratulations and Salaam to Mahershala Ali, a beautiful and talented artist whose expressions I look forward to experiencing for many years to come. Inshallah, we will someday work together. Most importantly to my loyal fans, the incredible outpouring of love is overwhelming. I am grateful for the never-ending support. So, ‘nah fret nah worry, it’s not de end of de story.’ Welcome to the Daywalker Klique.”

WESLEY SNIPES COULD APPEAR IN MARVEL’S BLADE REBOOT

Dracula

So Marshala Ali is the new Blade and Wesley Snipes is all for it. But could Snipes end up in the movie? We’re hearing that yes he could. Our sources share that Kevin Feige, Marvel boss, wants to see Wesley Snipes return as Blade (likely via the Multiverse).

In the past there have been concerns about erratic on-set behavior from Snipes. But no one has ever doubted that he’s a tremendous actor. Now 57-years-old he’s too old to play Blade, but maybe aging and dealing with his past has tempered him. It’ll be up to Disney to decide whether that’s so. The Multiverse has opened this as a possibility more than ever before.

BLADE WAS FIRST CREATED IN 1973

Blade was originally a Marvel Comics Marv Wolfman/Gene Colan creation that debuted in 1973. In it, Eric Brooks is turned half-human when his mother is attacked by a vampire while she is giving birth to him. As Eric grew, he realized he inherited powers possessed by the vampire.

He took the name Blade and begun his fight battling supernatural creatures and threats. Wesley Snipes played this role to perfection in three Blade movies released in 1998, 2002, and 2004.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 BEGAN THE PROCESS OF BRINGING ABOUT MARVEL’S BLADE

Marvel announces Blade

The announcement of a new Blade was met with mixed emotions. Many were overjoyed by the fact that Ali was taking over the role Wesley Snipes made famous. Snipes starred in the trilogy and the first two, Blade and Blade II received rave reviews. But the third, Blade: Trinity was met with less than an enthusiastic welcome. The series died. But that didn’t stop Snipes fans from voicing their opinion on the new announcement. The die-hards still want to see the original day-walking vampire slayer.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige claims the company always wanted to find a way back into Blade’s world. Who doesn’t like a half-vampire vampire slayer? It had always been a thought but one that seemed to remain on the back burner.

It wasn’t until the new Doctor Strange storyline was being put together that Feige thought maybe it was time to return to Blade. Feige felt the supernatural aspect Doctor Strange showcased would lend itself to exploring Blade in a big way.

SEE FAN IMAGES OF WHAT MAHERSHALA ALI COULD LOOK LIKE IN MARVEL’S BLADE

Blade Concept Art by chad0wick

Blade fans seem pretty happy with the new direction of the franchise. While we’re waiting to see our first official images of Marshala Ali as the new Daywalker, fans have gotten busy crafting their own fan art versions depicting him as Blade. Here are a few of the best…

Latest Blade News


Marvel Needs To Cancel Some Delayed MCU Projects

Since Iron Man first hit theaters in 2008, it has seemed like Marvel Studios can do no wrong, with the …

1 week ago

blade reboot

Disney Proves They Can’t Figure Out Blade (Again)

It was all fun, laughter, and games for those of us who, over the summer, ducked into an air-conditioned cinema …

2 weeks ago

marvel blade

Marvel’s Blade Taken Out By The Predator’s Next Movie

After years of delays, multiple directors dropping out, and rumors that star Mahershala Ali was getting frustrated with the production, …

2 weeks ago

Marvel’s Most Ambitious Film No Longer Happening?

The MCU has been pretty topsy-turvy in recent years…films like Quantumania and The Marvels ended up being huge flops, but …

4 weeks ago

Kris Kristofferson Dead At 88

Following the deaths of cinematic legends James Earl Jones and Maggie Smith, news came over the weekend that the world …

1 month ago

Channing Tatum Was Scared Of Marvel

While Deadpool & Wolverine was full of amazing stars, many fans felt Channing Tatum stole every scene as Gambit, the …

3 months ago

deadpool 3 ryan reynolds

How Blade: Trinity Got Ryan Reynolds Deadpool

With Deadpool and Wolverine having just been released in theaters, it’s worth talking about how Ryan Reynolds even got the …

3 months ago

Controversial X-Men Star Wanted To Return In Deadpool & Wolverine

A large part of what made Deadpool & Wolverine feel like a love letter to the previous era of Marvel …

3 months ago

kit harington marvel

Marvel Star Admits Starring Role Wasn’t Different Or Interesting

Back before Eternals disappointed us all, there was general excitement about the prospect of Game of Thrones star Kit Harington …

3 months ago

deadpool & wolverine

Marvel Can’t Make The Same Wolverine Mistake Again

Wolverine’s arrival into the MCU as part of Deadpool & Wolverine has gone as great as everyone could have hoped. …

3 months ago

Marvel Cancels Blade Reboot Off Schedule

Anyone following Marvel news won’t be surprised to learn that Blade has been removed from next year’s release schedule. Production …

3 months ago

rayn reynolds deadpool

Ryan Reynolds Fixes Marvel’s Biggest Superhero Reboot Problem

Marvel has been doing a good job building some positive buzz lately, between the shock announcement of Robert Downey Jr’s …

3 months ago

Deadpool & Wolverine Is A Surprising Celebration Of Pre-MCU Superhero Movies

Deadpool and Wolverine were heavily marketed as the official entry of Fox’s characters into the MCU, which is technically true, but …

4 months ago

robert downey jr

Marvel Admits Deadpool & Wolverine Is A Strategy To Get Robert Downey Jr. Back

While Deadpool officially joining the MCU was already a huge selling point for his newest movie, there is no doubt …

4 months ago

marvel blade

The MCU’s Blade Problem Finally Acknowledged By Marvel Executive

Marvel has been largely silent on the difficulties they’ve encountered trying to adapt Blade for the MCU, but Marvel head …

4 months ago

stephen king the dark tower

Stephen King Should Stick To Writing And Leave Marvel Alone

The last few years have not been the ideal time to be a Marvel fan. The next Big Bad was …

4 months ago

Deadpool & Wolverine Pic Reveals Blade Variant Before Marvel’s Reboot?

Let’s face it: this is a pretty weird time for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While everyone is hyped …

5 months ago

wesley snipes blade

Wesley Snipes Burns Marvel For Blade Reboot Problems

Marvel Studios has been hitting several roadblocks over the last few years, delaying project after project. While most titles now …

5 months ago

X-Men ’97 Is Officially The Best Marvel Project

It was already quite clear that X-Men ’97 has become quite the crowd-pleaser in only its first season. Though the …

5 months ago

1980s Horror Classic Debuts Future Marvel Villain Star, Stream Now

Before he landed the role of Blade villain Deacon Frost, Stephen Dorff was steadily working his way through lower-budget productions …

5 months ago

wolverine vampires

Wolverine Has A Weird Relationship With Vampires

Wolverine’s healing factor has a lot of really cool abilities beyond just closing wounds super fast. He’s immune to all …

5 months ago

Marvel Loses Blade Director, MCU Version Getting Canceled Permanently?

Fans have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see Blade join the MCU since it was announced that the vampire …

5 months ago

alien series

Alien Director Eyed For Marvel MCU Team-Up

One of the major staples of the MCU has always been that their movies remain pretty kid-friendly by never going …

6 months ago

wesley snipes blade

Wesley Snipes Blade Return In The MCU Gets Closer To Reality

Wesley Snipes first brought the character of Blade to life in the 1998 Marvel Comics film based on the eponymous …

6 months ago

marvel blade

Marvel Needs To Give Up On Blade

Marvel, we know you mean well—but it’s time to say goodbye to your dreams of a soft Blade reboot; it’s …

8 months ago

blade series

The Marvel Superhero Series You’ll Never See On Disney+, Stream Right Now

The 2006 superhero show Blade: The Series is available to stream on Tubi. Created by David S. Goyer for Spike TV, the …

8 months ago

X-Men '97

Marvel Fires X-Men ’97 Creator Before Show Debuts

When X-Men ’97 was announced, fans were beyond excited to hear the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series would be receiving …

8 months ago

foundation season 3

Foundation Season 3 Loses Its Most Important Member

David S. Goyer, co-creator and showrunner of Apple TV+’s ambitious sci-fi series Foundation, is stepping down from his role as …

9 months ago

darkhold marvel feature

Marvel Bringing Abandoned Supernatural Team In To Save The MCU

After building a universe founded mostly in sci-fi elements involving futuristic science and space aliens, Marvel Studios appears to be …

9 months ago

Marvel Studios Ramping Up For The R-Rated Era

When Marvel Studios first introduced the MCU in 2008, the studio did something that had never been done before. They …

11 months ago