In 2019, Marvel Studios announced its plans to reboot Blade with Mahershala Ali taking on the R-rated titular role. Four years have passed since then, and the film’s release remains as uncertain as it was when it was first announced.
Amidst the ongoing delays, another concern has emerged: Ali’s age. In February 2024, the two-time Oscar winner will turn 50, leading many fans to question whether he is too old to play the role of Blade.
In the original Blade trilogy starring Wesley Snipes, Blade is born to a human mother who is bitten by a vampire during her pregnancy. This unique origin story grants Blade vampiric abilities, including superhuman strength and speed.
Given these superhuman abilities, portraying Blade will undoubtedly be physically demanding. With Ali approaching 50, many fans are skeptical about his ability to bring the physicality and energy they’ve come to expect from the character.
While these concerns are valid, others believe Ali’s age will not hinder his portrayal of Blade. They point to examples like Liam Neeson’s Taken film series, Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible series, and Keanu Reeves’s John Wick series, where age has not been a barrier for action movie stars.
These three franchises heavily rely on stunts and feature lead characters who were older from the outset. If these actors could successfully lead their respective franchises despite their age, there’s no reason why Ali can’t bring Blade to life, regardless of the physical demands.
Additionally, many oppose Ali’s casting due to his age overlook the potential for age to add depth to the story. For instance, the studio could explore Blade’s journey as an aging vampire hunter, perhaps mentoring a new generation of vampire hunters.
These are just speculative ideas, but the point remains that Ali’s age could enhance the story rather than hinder it. Not to mention, Marvel could always employ stunt doubles if the physical strain becomes too much for Ali to handle. With the latest advancements in technology and Marvel’s expertise in CGI, seamlessly incorporating stunt doubles should not be a major obstacle.
Since its announcement, the Blade reboot has faced numerous challenges, cycling through multiple directors. Bassam Tariq was initially attached to direct the film but later departed due to scheduling conflicts. Yann Demange, known for his work on Top Boy and Lovecraft Country, has since taken over as director.
The screenplay has also undergone multiple revisions, with Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Beau DeMayo initially penning the script. Nic Pizzolatto and Michael Starrbury were subsequently brought on for rewrites, and now Michael Green, the Oscar-nominated writer for Logan, is reportedly involved in the project as well.
Given the lack of a clear direction, there is a genuine possibility that the film may never materialize. However, fans of the original trilogy remain hopeful that the project will eventually come to fruition. With the recent resolution of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, fans should soon know whether Blade will return to the big screen or not.
If everything goes according to plan, Blade the Reboot is scheduled to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
