The world of entertainment has seen many unfortunate incidents when an actor reportedly lost a role due to one thing or another. While actors like Emily Blunt lost a Marvel role due to contractual obligations, Mahershala Ali, on the other hand, lost a very amazing opportunity due to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Blade.
While Blade seems to be forever struck by developmental delays and whatnot, Ali could have been Lt. Jim Gordon in Matt Reeves’ The Batman had it not been for it. With a sequel for the Robert Pattinson starter flick already in the works, it seems unfortunate that Ali lost on such an incredible opportunity.
Mahershala Ali Could Have Been Robert Pattinson’s, Lt. Jim Gordon
With an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and an amazing Google score coupled with some excellent feedback from critics, Matt Reeves‘ The Batman went on to gross about $765 million worldwide against a budget of $200 million (via The Numbers). Not only did the fans and critics appreciate how loyal the movie was to the Batman lore, but its cinematography along with its gritty narrative has made it on the watchlist of every Batman fan.
And so, to have an actor like Mahershala Ali lose on the epic flick is not only disappointing but also pretty unfortunate. As per The Sneider Cut podcast and @AlTRightMovies, the actor was the first choice of Reeves for the role of Lt. Jim Gordon. However, at that time the actor’s schedule was pretty much full thanks to MCU’s Blade reboot, which seems to be nowhere near the production stage.
And so, the two-time Oscar-winning actor had to say goodbye to the well-received DC flick for a movie that still hasn’t begun shooting yet. Jeffrey Wright later took on the role and the Robert Pattinson-starrer, The Batman, already has its sequel in the works while Blade is still in development.
As unfortunate as it is, we sincerely hope that the Blade reboot finally takes off soon and that we get to see Mahershala Ali in that iconic role.
Mahershala Ali Would Have Been Great As Lt. Jim Gordon
An extremely talented and versatile actor known for his exceptional portrayals across genres, Mahershala Ali would have been undoubtedly a great Lt. Jim Gordon. Although Jeffrey Wright was great in the role and portrayed the character to the audience’s liking (via Reddit).
Ali would have effortlessly transitioned into the genre for he is known to portray compiled characters with depth and gravitas. His remarkable acting range, demonstrated in projects like Moonlight, House of Cards, and True Detective, would have allowed him to tap into the emotional grapples of the character, allowing for a resonating portrayal.
Furthermore, Mahershala Ali has an incredible fan base and influence, which would have certainly aided in the popularity of The Batman. Ultimately, whether it’s The Batman or Blade, we hope to see Mahershala Ali continue to shine on the big screen and bring his unique brand of acting to audiences around the world.
Meanwhile, The Batman can be streamed on Netflix, and Blade is slated to release in 2025.
