Wesley Snipes a legendary actor who has starred in some of the most iconic films of all time, including Blade and Demolition Man, reflected on his career and shared his thoughts on the superhero genre. Snipes said that he was proud of his contributions to the superhero genre, particularly with Blade.
Moreover, he added that he felt that Blade was a groundbreaking film that helped to pave the way for other black superheroes in Hollywood. Hence, even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen its fair share of iconic characters, one character that stands out in the early days of superhero films is Blade.
How a ‘Black man’ kickstarted the superhero sub-genre
Wesley Snipes’ portrayal of Blade was a groundbreaking moment in the history of superhero movies. With his fierce combat skills, undeniable charisma, and commitment to the character, Wesley Snipes elevated Blade from a comic book hero to an iconic figure in pop culture.
Bassam Tariq, who was approached for the Blade reboot with Mahershala Ali said,
“What’s exciting about the film that we’re making is [there] hasn’t been a canon for Blade, as we’re reading through the comics and everything. Him being a daywalker is the one thing that’s been established, and you know we can’t deny what Wesley Snipes did, which was he basically got this whole ball rolling. A Black man created the superhero world that we’re in, that’s just the truth.”
Snipes’ 1998 Blade was a surprise hit, defying expectations and proving that superhero films could appeal to a broader audience beyond comic book enthusiasts. Snipes’ portrayal of Blade was hailed by both fans and critics, leading to a worldwide box-office franchise collection of over $416 million.
But why was Wesley Snipes heartbroken even after the success of the film?
Initially, Snipes wanted to do the movie for fun. He wasn’t intentionally looking to be a pioneer in the world of Black superheroes. Aware of the fact that Blade would appeal to only a particular niche of the audience, Snipes revealed that he never imagined that it would end up having a broader appeal.
However, not exactly agreeing with Tariq’s statement about a Black man creating the superhero world that we currently live in, Snipes said,
“Some people forget or overlook my/our contribution to this current trend. The ‘Gaming’ community knows and the streets give us credits, but the movie world frequently plays us like the ‘ugly stepchild’ or the ‘kitchen help,’ especially when the conversation revolves around the ‘boys in tights’ or ‘the bat’.”
Apart from this, Snipes also shared his thoughts on the upcoming Blade reboot starring Mahershala Ali. He said that he was excited to see what the makers will do with the character. And said that modern technological innovations in filmmaking can elevate the character to a whole new level.
Source: Showbiz CheatSheet
