Marvel Studiosis producing a newBladefilm starring Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali in the lead role. Now, formerBladestar Wesley Snipes has expressed his support for Ali as the new version of Marvel’s Daywalker.
Ali’s debut as Blade will mark the first live-action appearance of the Marvel character since2004’sBlade: Trinity. While Snipes' R-rated trilogy featuring the character was praised by fans, many are unsure how Ali (known for his award-winning roles inMoonlightandGreen Book) would follow up with his own version forMarvel Studios, but Snipes remains confident that the actor will knock it out of the park.
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When responding to a skeptical fan on Twitter, Snipes tweeted back with, “He will do great.” The Oscar-winning Ali was confirmed to star inthe MCU’sBladerebootback in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con. The newBladefilm will be directed by Bassam Tariq (Ghosts of Sugar Land,These Birds Walk, Mogul Mowgli), with a script byWatchmenTV series writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour. Although details have been kept under wraps, rumors have been brewing that the story will follow Ali’s Blade training his daughter to join him as a vampire hunter.
In a recent interview with Empire, Ali recalled what it was like officially be a part of the MCU and the emotions he had whenhe spoke his first words as Bladefor that brief introduction inEternals' post-credits scene, describing it to be “really cool.” In thatEternals’post-credits scene, Ali speaks off-screen to Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman in his classroom at the university, where Whitman opens an old chest inherited from his ancestors that contains a valuable family antique: the Ebony Blade, which he is contemplating using in order to save Sersi. Ali’s Blade asks Whitman if he is ready to harness the legendary sword.
After the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, it’ll be interesting to see the introduction of many new thrilling heroes and where they fit in this ongoing universe as Marvel’s phase 4 continues. While theBladereboot is still ways away, with the film’s production looking to begin shooting sometime in 2022, it’s possible fans can expect Ali’s new character to briefly appear in afew of the upcoming MCU films.
In the meantime, fans can catch up on some of Ali’s recent extraordinary work in acclaimed projects like Hulu’sRamyseries and HBO’s season 3 ofTrue Detective. Ali will also star in Apple TV Plus' dramaSwan Song, which is set for a December 17th, 2021 release.
Marvel Studios’Bladeis expected to begin production in 2022.
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