Superhero movies’ reign continues at the box office, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe standing as the juggernaut of the genre. While movies like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man or the early 2000s X-Men films are often hailed for launching this expansive series of action-packed blockbusters, there’s a trio of superhero films often overlooked in discussions about the MCU’s origins: the Blade movies.
Released 25 years ago in 1998, Blade hit theaters at a time when Hollywood was still grappling with how to approach superhero films seriously. These movies played a crucial role in paving the way for the confidence needed to tackle adaptations of iconic characters like the X-Men and Spider-Man.
Without Blade leading the charge, it’s unlikely that the momentum necessary for what eventually evolved into the Marvel Cinematic Universe would have been generated. And Marvel Studio boss Kevin Feige knows how important it was for the MCU.
Kevin Feige Spoke On Blade’s Significance On the MCU
Two decades ago, the outlook for comic book movies appeared bleak after the disappointing performance of Batman and Robin. Hollywood executives believed that the superhero genre had run its course and began shifting their focus elsewhere. Marvel, in particular, struggled to spark interest in its roster of characters amidst this pessimism. However, a surprising hero emerged in the form of Blade.
While not a household name like Spider-Man or the Fantastic Four, Wesley Snipes’ Blade trilogy defied expectations and became a box office success. Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind Marvel’s cinematic universe, reflected on Blade’s significance in an interview.
“My tenure at Marvel started 17 years ago, and there were two things that sort of launched the modern era. One was X-Men, which was the first thing that people said, ‘Oh, there’s life here,’” Feige told Joblo.
“But a few years before that, there was Blade. A character nobody had heard of at all, had only appeared in a few issues of Tomb of Dracula or something, turned into a big franchise. That was always a great lesson for me, where you go, “it doesn’t matter how well known the character is, it matters how cool the movie is.‘”
The Blade trilogy may not have reached the box office heights of Avengers: Endgame, but its financial performance was nonetheless impressive. With a combined gross of over $415 million against a total budget of $164 million, the franchise yielded a substantial profit of more than $252 million.
Kevin Feige’s Praise for One and Only Robert Downey Jr.
Kevin Feige’s admiration for Robert Downey Jr. remains unparalleled within the MCU. Downey’s portrayal of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, served as the cornerstone of the MCU’s success for nearly a decade following the groundbreaking debut of Iron Man in 2008. His embodiment of the iconic character elevated him to the status of the MCU’s poster boy.
Initially, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, expressed reservations about Downey Jr. Past struggles with addiction raised concerns about insurability and reliability. However, director Jon Favreau was advocating for Downey Jr., believing him to be the perfect fit for the role. Ultimately, Feige agreed, a decision he now hails as a turning point for the MCU.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Feige acknowledged the initial risk.
“It was both the biggest risk and the most important thing in the founding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Without Robert, we wouldn’t be sitting here today. I really believe that.“
“That decision, and the success of that decision, I think empowered us with further risks and further choices,” he added.
Downey Jr.’s impact on the MCU is undeniable. His charisma and nuanced performance brought Tony Stark to life, propelling the franchise to global success. It’s nearly impossible to imagine the MCU without him.
Stream the Blade trilogy on Netflix.
