The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) took fandom by storm in 2019 with the thrilling announcement of a new Blade film, a development that has been attentively awaited by moviegoers. As we embrace the future of this beloved vampire hunter, even Wesley Snipes—the original Daywalker who masterfully embodied Blade in three flicks—has passed on the proverbial torch with sage advice to Mahershala Ali, the Oscar-winning actor set to redefine the iconic role.
Snipes portrayed Blade in Blade, Blade II, and Blade: Trinity. And with Ali’s own admission of the severity and anticipation surrounding the character’s reawakening, including his voice cameo in the post-credits of Eternals, we understand this is more than a passing of the baton; it’s the rebirth of a legacy.
From Blade to Blade: Wesley Snipes’ Advice Guides Mahershala Ali in MCU Reboot
When news broke in 2019 that a new Blade film was in the works, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were left in shock and excitement (see Deadline). The announcement of Mahershala Ali taking on the iconic role once portrayed by Wesley Snipes only added to the anticipation surrounding the project. And two years later, with Snipes offering his support and advice to Ali, it seems that the torch has officially been passed to the new ‘Daywalker’.
In a 2021 interview with Yahoo!’s Kevin Polowy, Snipes revealed that he had spoken with Ali about the physical demands of the role, emphasizing the importance of being in top shape to handle the action-packed requirements of playing Blade:
We spoke. The issue of him being cast wasn’t between us, I’m cool with that. I don’t walk around as Blade, so I’m not attached to the character like that. I feel no emotional loss, zero, and I’m happy that he’s being recast and will more than likely do a great job.
As someone who has starred in three Blade movies in the past, Snipes knows a thing or two about what it takes to bring the character to life on the big screen. The actor continued:
Make sure you’re in shape, man. Make sure you’re in shape. Try not to get hurt, that’s a biggie. The demands of an action movie is you’ve gotta be an elite athlete. And being well-conditioned to survive and to avoid injury.
Snipes has fully embraced Ali as the new Blade and is excited to see what the latter will bring to the character. The One Night Stand star, 61, has no “emotional” attachment to the role and is happy to see it passed on to someone who can bring their own unique spin to the character.
Mahershala Ali Teased Exciting Developments in His Blade Role
Who can contain their excitement when an actor of Mahershala Ali’s caliber, armed with two Oscars and a reputation for acclaimed performances, takes on such a cherished role?
For Ali, stepping into the role of Blade has been a dream come true, but also a daunting task. In a 2021 interview with Empire, the actor, 50, shared his excitement as well as anxiety about taking on the iconic character, especially in the early stages of filming:
It was really cool, getting to do that. It was scary. Because, you know, you’re talking before you’re filming it. I’m pretty particular about my choices, like most actors, and so having to make some choices — even with a line, vocally — this early on, it brought up some very real anxieties.
But definitely, with Wesley Snipes’ support and guidance, Ali is ready to tackle the challenge head-on and bring a fresh perspective to the character. So, when will the film be released, given that the news of its production has been out for quite some time?
Blade was supposed to go into production in November 2022 and be released on November 3, 2023, according to Vulture. However, Disney was forced to give the forthcoming movie a little extra time because the new team was coming on board to begin with. Thus, the new release date for the movie is expected to be November 7, 2025.
As fans eagerly await the return of the Daywalker to the big screen, they can rest assured knowing that the future of the Blade franchise is in good hands. With Ali leading the charge, we can expect to see a new era of vampire hunting unlike anything we’ve seen before.
The first Blade movie can be rented on Apple TV.
