Mahershala Ali gears up to slay vampires in Blade next month. The MCU take on the character will begin production in Atlanta, GA, and New Orleans, LA, as listed by ProductionList.
The summary for the film reads, “He is known to be a vampire hunter— half-mortal, half-immortal— who tries to rid the world of vampires as a way of avenging his mother, who was killed by a vampire as she gave birth to him.”
At San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige announced that Mahershala Ali would be Blade in his own standalone movie. He recently made his debut somewhat in an after-credits scene in Eternals where you could hear his voice speak to Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington.
It is fitting to push the movie forward and get production rolling. The MCU has been diving into supernatural themes with a touch of horror elements with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Moon Knight. After Lovecraftian monsters, zombie sorcerers, and more, it is time to introduce vampires to the superhero-filled universe along with someone to kill the bloodsuckers.
Mahershala Ali as Blade
Not much is known about the movie. The original trilogy with Wesley Snipes was rated R, but the only R-rated entry of the MCU we have confirmed is Deadpool 3. All that is confirmed is that Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) is set to direct with writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour (Watchmen). Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) will also star with the lead.
When it comes to Mahershala Ali as Blade, Snipes reacted in an interview with ComicBook by giving him praise and well wishes.
“Ali [is] a beautiful and talented artist whose expressions I look forward to experiencing for many years to come. Inshallah, we will someday work together.”
Blade with Mahershala Ali has no date yet. It is expected to release sometime in Phase 5 of the MCU.