Italian
The evolution of Marvel’s ‘Blade’: A journey through time and talent
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a powerhouse of storytelling, bringing to life some of the most iconic characters in comic book history. Among these, the character of Blade stands out, not just for his unique abilities but for the dark, gritty world he inhabits. As Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige recently discussed in an interview with BlackTree TV, the journey to rebooting “Blade” has been anything but straightforward.
The legacy of Blade: From Wesley Snipes to Mahershala Ali
Blade first slashed his way onto the big screen in 1998, with Wesley Snipes donning the iconic black leather and sunglasses. The film was a groundbreaking success, paving the way for two sequels: “Blade II” (2002), directed by Guillermo Del Toro, and “Blade: Trinity” (2004). These films were notable not just for their action-packed sequences but for their R-rated content, which was integral to the character’s essence.
Fast forward to July 2019, Marvel announced a reboot of “Blade” with two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali set to star. This announcement sent waves of excitement through the fan community, eager to see how Ali would bring his unique flair to the role. However, the road to production has been fraught with challenges.
The rocky road to reboot: Directors and writers come and go
The development of the new “Blade” movie has seen several writers and directors come and go. Bassam Tariq was the first director to join the project, but he exited in September 2022, just two months before filming was set to begin. The script has also seen numerous changes, with writers like Stacy Osei-Kuffour (“Watchmen”) and Michael Starrbury taking a stab at it.
According to a report by Variety, the script has gone through at least five writers. At one point, the narrative even shifted to focus on women and life lessons, a significant departure from the original storyline. Despite these changes, Feige emphasized that the studio is committed to not rushing the film, ensuring that they make the right “Blade” movie.
The importance of staying true to the character
Feige’s recent comments highlight the importance of staying true to the character of Blade. Just as the MCU’s first R-rated entry, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” had to maintain its R-rating to stay true to Deadpool’s essence, the same goes for Blade. “There were some great ’Blade’ movies years ago — they were all rated-R. So I think that’s, like Deadpool, inherent with the character of Blade,” Feige said.
This commitment to authenticity is crucial, especially for a character like Blade, whose dark, violent world is a far cry from the more family-friendly fare of the MCU. Fans of the original films will undoubtedly be looking for that same gritty, no-holds-barred approach in the reboot.
Looking ahead: What to expect from Marvel’s ‘Blade’
As of now, Marvel’s ”Blade” is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025. While the journey to this point has been tumultuous, the anticipation continues to build. With Mahershala Ali at the helm and a commitment to staying true to the character’s essence, there’s a lot to look forward to.
For those eager to dive deeper into the world of Blade, you can check out the trailer and information sheet for the original 1998 film here. This will give you a taste of what made the original films so iconic and why the reboot is one of the most anticipated projects in the MCU.
Reflecting on the journey so far, it’s clear that the path to bringing Blade back to the big screen has been anything but easy. However, it’s this very journey that makes the prospect of the new film so exciting. As we await more updates, one thing is certain: Blade’s return is set to be a cinematic event worth the wait.
