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.