Looks like Mahershala Ali will be joining the Marvel Universe as the star of the upcoming reboot of Blade.
The shocking news was announced during Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Sunday (July 21). Like the rest of us, many of the attendees were also surprised as Ali took the stage and put on a Blade baseball cap. As surprising as it is, Marvel president Kevin Feige says that casting the Green Book actor was an easy choice. “He’s the perfect Blade because he’s one of the greatest actors working today
“It’s a dream,” Feige said during an interview with Variety. “It’s the kind of dream casting you almost don’t dare to dream that you could actually do it. We had a couple of meetings with him and very quickly decided “Let’s do this.”
Blade first made his appearance back in the 1973 comic book The Tomb of Dracula #10. Donned with sleek shades, the half- immortal vampire hunter tries to rid the world of vampires to avenge the death of his mother – who was killed by a vampire. The comic was made into a film in 1998 starring Wesley Snipes as the vampire slayer. The film quickly became a cult classic and was followed by two sequels, Blade ll and Blade: Trinity.
Following the announcement, actor Wesley Snipes responded to Ali reprising his role as Blade. In a statement to ComicBook.com, Snipes says everyone needs to chillax and embrace new casting.
“To all the DAYWALKERS losing their minds right now, chillaaxx. Although the news comes as a surprise, it’s ALL GOOD. Such is the ‘business’ of ‘entertainment!’ Much peace to the MCU crew – always a fan,” Snipe said. “Honor and respect to the grandmaster Stan. Congratulations and Salaam to Mahershala Ali, a beautiful and talented artist whose expressions I look forward to experiencing for many years to come. Inshallah, we will someday work together. Most importantly to my loyal fans, the incredible outpouring of love is overwhelming. I am grateful for the never-ending support. So, ‘nah fret nah worry, it’s not de end of de story.’ Welcome to the Daywalker Klique.”
The award winning actor is no stranger to the comic world. Ali appeared in Marvel/Netflix series Luke Cage as the villain Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes.
Photo Credit: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: Mahershala Ali of Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade’ at the San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)