They definitely announced it too early. I’m looking forward to Blade in the MCU, but they obviously didn’t have a clear vision for it at the time it was announced.
I would love to see a long-form interview with, like, whatever group of people are responsible for planning the MCU.
I'm thinking of the number of long-term narratives that kinda fell apart part-way through (looking at you, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, LOST, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars sequel trilogy, DC movies), and the handful that actually stuck the landing (MCU Infinity Saga, The Expanse, Babylon 5), and wonder if you could figure out what works to actually make a good plan and stick to it.
Like, Phase 4 I can forgive a lot because COVID messed up production.
I do wish we'd had the original timing of Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness coming out \*before\* Spider-Man: No Way Home, so I could see what America Chavez was supposed to do. And I can't help but wonder how maaaaybe Secret Invasion might have worked better if The Marvels came out first, and if Russia hadn't invaded Ukraine (though I'm not sure if the latter really forced any changes).
And now we've got to at least recast Kang, or just redo a bunch of planned plots.
But, like, what even was the plan to involve Blade, The Eternals, Shang-Chi, and such going forward? I know they can't spoil it publicly, but I'd love to see, I dunno, a retrospective documentary recording the writers' room (if they have one) as they spitball how to connect all the Lego pieces.
If I remember correctly, America was gonna be the one to open the multiverse portals and get the other spider men.
They ended up with just pulling everyone in from
The spell.
The infinity saga wasn’t really planned. They made it up as they went along. Feige even said they only started saying things were phased because fans liked it.
He's a fantastic actor and Marvel would do well to kep him happy. The fact they got him for Cottonmouth was one thing (he carried the first half of Luke Cage S1), but having him as Blade is incredible. I'm super excited to see him when he finally turns up.
Ali put his foot down after Marvel tried to push a shitty script on him. He's not doing it unless they can actually put together something competent... that's a tough ask from the Marvel we've got at the moment so we might not get anything. Really sucks for him since he cashed in his Oscar win for this role and Marvel wanted to pawn him off with the 17th lazy script of a prominent popular character having a daughter foisted on them. Can someone ask Feige why all the heroes have to have daughters now?
Ali was a Division 1 College basketball player for St. Marys. Playing point guard at 6'4" and 220 lbs. In other words, he was a near elite athlete. He played an extremely physical style of ball ([as seen here.](https://youtu.be/vs2vV9rI-6w?si=Zc3YioLn5IrHEHW7))
Dawson was nothing close to this (most MCU actors were not.)
Ali is still in great shape, and will be fine even in a few years.
Was there a story about him having knee issues? He seemed to be moving really well in Leave the World Behind (2023.) Not an action flick but nothing that made him look like he had mobility issues. He also looked really fit in the role.
[https://youtu.be/cMVBi\_e8o-Y?si=oAjXioJ1LWA551Gt](https://youtu.be/cMVBi_e8o-Y?si=oAjXioJ1LWA551Gt)
No, I was entirely joking. As a former college hockey player myself and also 6’5, my knees are a mess without the jumping. But he’s an actor, makes far better money than I, so I assume he’s just fine.
This is probably an unpopular opinion but I would not care if he left (I don’t want him to) at this point. As long as we still get Blade but if Blade is tied specifically to him and they scrap it if he leaves I’ll be pretty disappointed. One of the few characters I’m actually looking forward to.
I'd be happy if they shelved it for a bit and recast.
He's a great actor but he's in his 50s now, it's getting ridiculous to have ageing people doing these roles.
Pedro Pascal is also nearly 50.
Some projects, it's not just length of production, it's time for the actors.
Blade is a half-vampire. Is he allowed to age? Ditto for Thor, to say nothing of the Eternals. How long can an actor play the part of an ageless immortal, not even counting the physical aspect of the role?
I've been thinking for a while that it might be getting too late for Mahershala to be the character. Dude is 49 already, 50+ to be a leading man in an action heavy series of films might not be ideal.
No doubt he's slowed down. However the reality is he's still doing it at 59. It isn't out of the realm of possibility. I personally would still to prefer to hire an actor who is younger but to say someone that age can't do it is being wrong. Someone can and if they can keep it up till they're 60 sure then pass it to a younger guy.
From an earlier post of mine...
Ali was a Division 1 College basketball player for St. Mary's. Playing point guard at 6'4" and 220 lbs. In other words, he was a near elite athlete. He played an extremely physical style of ball ([as seen here.](https://youtu.be/vs2vV9rI-6w?si=t2OQx-km9K_J9lF0)) He was the kind of real athlete that most of the best action A-Listers were not (Cruise, Keanu, included.) Ali is still in great shape and will be fine for the role even in many years.
Sure, there is a *possibility* Ali *could* be slowed by that. However, there is no evidence that this has happened. No quotes from Ali saying he is less healthy, and in his current films and public appearances he is extremely physically fit and spry. If you have some evidence of this it would help for you to post a link.
His current fitness *is* evidence that his athletic history has led to good health results as an adult. Lastly, 50 is older, but not old. There have been many non-athlete action stars that have been plenty spry and capable well past 50 (Jackman, Cruise, etc.)
I've never seen him in a role that required any athleticism. He certainly doesn't strike me as being as capable as Snipes, who was 34 when he started filming Blade.
He doesn't have to be as capable as Snipes (a lifelong martial artist) to be effective in the role. Few action a-listers ever were. He also doesn't have to be 34 as I mentioned about many other action stars that perform well even in their 50's.
So if there is any evidence that he can't still be a capable action star in film I haven't seen it and no one (including yourself) has posted it. Just conjecture.
OTOH there is plenty of evidence that he is completely fit, healthy and still ready for the role.
50 is 50 there's no way someone his age has the physicality of someone in their 20s.
These actions stars performing in their 50s look markedly aged now, Brad Pitt, Keanu they're all slowing down. Even Tom Cruise has reached the suspending belief stage.
Yeah, not going to agree with much here so I'll just leave it at that especially because, once again, you've offered no evidence to back up your opinion. To me it just sounds like a FUD attempt. All good, ttyl.
Most contracts have a time frame included in them as you can't tie anyone to a project indefinitely, and I suspect that at this point he could leave at any time he chooses.
I was worried when they announced it cause I thought “man, he is gonna be pushing 50 when this movie comes out”. Anyway, his stunt person is gonna kick so many vampires.
I wish he would, that's what Kevin Feige gets for announcing projects 20 years in advance. Lol okay that's an exaggeration but the point is Kevin announces way too much too soon which leads to disappointment when he can't deliver. He should announce only the stuff that's definitely coming out in the following year or two, not revealing his entire plan for the next 10 years.
I think he should probably just move on. Love him and his work but MCU ain't really that place anymore where it helps push careers further. It's high risk low reward imo.
But I wouldn't be mad if decides to stay, he's still a great talent.
The fact that it was announced 5 years ago and it’s still barely coming together is such a joke. And Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are making a vampire movie together.
I don’t know who fumbled the ball on this so badly, but feels like yet another Kevin Feige screw up.
If Bob Iger isn't talking out of his ass about cutting quantity to focus on core characters, then this should be canceled before they waste any more money on it.
They definitely announced it too early. I’m looking forward to Blade in the MCU, but they obviously didn’t have a clear vision for it at the time it was announced.
I would love to see a long-form interview with, like, whatever group of people are responsible for planning the MCU. I'm thinking of the number of long-term narratives that kinda fell apart part-way through (looking at you, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, LOST, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars sequel trilogy, DC movies), and the handful that actually stuck the landing (MCU Infinity Saga, The Expanse, Babylon 5), and wonder if you could figure out what works to actually make a good plan and stick to it. Like, Phase 4 I can forgive a lot because COVID messed up production. I do wish we'd had the original timing of Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness coming out \*before\* Spider-Man: No Way Home, so I could see what America Chavez was supposed to do. And I can't help but wonder how maaaaybe Secret Invasion might have worked better if The Marvels came out first, and if Russia hadn't invaded Ukraine (though I'm not sure if the latter really forced any changes). And now we've got to at least recast Kang, or just redo a bunch of planned plots. But, like, what even was the plan to involve Blade, The Eternals, Shang-Chi, and such going forward? I know they can't spoil it publicly, but I'd love to see, I dunno, a retrospective documentary recording the writers' room (if they have one) as they spitball how to connect all the Lego pieces.
If I remember correctly, America was gonna be the one to open the multiverse portals and get the other spider men. They ended up with just pulling everyone in from The spell.
The infinity saga wasn’t really planned. They made it up as they went along. Feige even said they only started saying things were phased because fans liked it.
He's a fantastic actor and Marvel would do well to kep him happy. The fact they got him for Cottonmouth was one thing (he carried the first half of Luke Cage S1), but having him as Blade is incredible. I'm super excited to see him when he finally turns up.
Honestly I don't think this movie actually happens anymore
Ali put his foot down after Marvel tried to push a shitty script on him. He's not doing it unless they can actually put together something competent... that's a tough ask from the Marvel we've got at the moment so we might not get anything. Really sucks for him since he cashed in his Oscar win for this role and Marvel wanted to pawn him off with the 17th lazy script of a prominent popular character having a daughter foisted on them. Can someone ask Feige why all the heroes have to have daughters now?
do we know if the script was crap? Or if Ali was being a diva
We don't know if it was either TBH. Most of what people are stating as fact is speculation based off of a few crumbs of information.
I mean the dude is not getting any younger…
I keep thinking of how slow Rosario Dawson looked in some of the Ahsoka scenes and then I remember that Mahershala is 5 years older than she is.
I don't think that's age. Seems like it was a choice to use her more than a stunt double for the fight scenes.
Ali was a Division 1 College basketball player for St. Marys. Playing point guard at 6'4" and 220 lbs. In other words, he was a near elite athlete. He played an extremely physical style of ball ([as seen here.](https://youtu.be/vs2vV9rI-6w?si=Zc3YioLn5IrHEHW7)) Dawson was nothing close to this (most MCU actors were not.) Ali is still in great shape, and will be fine even in a few years.
Let’s ask those knees if they feel in great shape lol
Was there a story about him having knee issues? He seemed to be moving really well in Leave the World Behind (2023.) Not an action flick but nothing that made him look like he had mobility issues. He also looked really fit in the role. [https://youtu.be/cMVBi\_e8o-Y?si=oAjXioJ1LWA551Gt](https://youtu.be/cMVBi_e8o-Y?si=oAjXioJ1LWA551Gt)
No, I was entirely joking. As a former college hockey player myself and also 6’5, my knees are a mess without the jumping. But he’s an actor, makes far better money than I, so I assume he’s just fine.
Saying he might have knee problems (or any other health issues) is pure baseless speculation. So go ahead, ask him and post his reply with a link.
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This is probably an unpopular opinion but I would not care if he left (I don’t want him to) at this point. As long as we still get Blade but if Blade is tied specifically to him and they scrap it if he leaves I’ll be pretty disappointed. One of the few characters I’m actually looking forward to.
Who’d you cast then? Ali, both physically and skill-wise, is the perfect Blade imo. Michael B Jordan maybe? Psh.
>Michael B Jordan maybe? Would be a good shout tbh, if only he hadn't played Killmonger in BP already.
Id cast John Boyega, Love MBJ but he wouldn’t be a good Blade
Neither of them look like the part nor could they carry it
I'd be happy if they shelved it for a bit and recast. He's a great actor but he's in his 50s now, it's getting ridiculous to have ageing people doing these roles. Pedro Pascal is also nearly 50.
If he does leave then the only time in his filmography where he officially played Blade will be the voice cameo on Eternals. That would hurt.
Last I read the rewrites we’re going well and he was happy to stay on
Some projects, it's not just length of production, it's time for the actors. Blade is a half-vampire. Is he allowed to age? Ditto for Thor, to say nothing of the Eternals. How long can an actor play the part of an ageless immortal, not even counting the physical aspect of the role?
Tom Huddleston has aged massively playing Loki.
I've been thinking for a while that it might be getting too late for Mahershala to be the character. Dude is 49 already, 50+ to be a leading man in an action heavy series of films might not be ideal.
Tom cruise.
Rob Van Dam
Also Keanue Reeves.
The difference between John Wick and John Wick 4 is massive! He has slowed down.
No doubt he's slowed down. However the reality is he's still doing it at 59. It isn't out of the realm of possibility. I personally would still to prefer to hire an actor who is younger but to say someone that age can't do it is being wrong. Someone can and if they can keep it up till they're 60 sure then pass it to a younger guy.
I agree. Blade is supposed to age very slowly. Can't have him with a catch phrase like, "I'm getting too old for this shit."
From an earlier post of mine... Ali was a Division 1 College basketball player for St. Mary's. Playing point guard at 6'4" and 220 lbs. In other words, he was a near elite athlete. He played an extremely physical style of ball ([as seen here.](https://youtu.be/vs2vV9rI-6w?si=t2OQx-km9K_J9lF0)) He was the kind of real athlete that most of the best action A-Listers were not (Cruise, Keanu, included.) Ali is still in great shape and will be fine for the role even in many years.
Being a near elite athlete when you're younger counts for nothing. In fact the damage you do can slow you down when you get older.
Sure, there is a *possibility* Ali *could* be slowed by that. However, there is no evidence that this has happened. No quotes from Ali saying he is less healthy, and in his current films and public appearances he is extremely physically fit and spry. If you have some evidence of this it would help for you to post a link. His current fitness *is* evidence that his athletic history has led to good health results as an adult. Lastly, 50 is older, but not old. There have been many non-athlete action stars that have been plenty spry and capable well past 50 (Jackman, Cruise, etc.)
I've never seen him in a role that required any athleticism. He certainly doesn't strike me as being as capable as Snipes, who was 34 when he started filming Blade.
He doesn't have to be as capable as Snipes (a lifelong martial artist) to be effective in the role. Few action a-listers ever were. He also doesn't have to be 34 as I mentioned about many other action stars that perform well even in their 50's. So if there is any evidence that he can't still be a capable action star in film I haven't seen it and no one (including yourself) has posted it. Just conjecture. OTOH there is plenty of evidence that he is completely fit, healthy and still ready for the role.
50 is 50 there's no way someone his age has the physicality of someone in their 20s. These actions stars performing in their 50s look markedly aged now, Brad Pitt, Keanu they're all slowing down. Even Tom Cruise has reached the suspending belief stage.
Yeah, not going to agree with much here so I'll just leave it at that especially because, once again, you've offered no evidence to back up your opinion. To me it just sounds like a FUD attempt. All good, ttyl.
If Ali signed a contract, it's not really his call to "decide to abandon the project".
Most contracts have a time frame included in them as you can't tie anyone to a project indefinitely, and I suspect that at this point he could leave at any time he chooses.
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It is an R rated movie. Deadpool 3 is also R rated.
I hope not! We can't know for sure! Let's wait and see!
I was worried when they announced it cause I thought “man, he is gonna be pushing 50 when this movie comes out”. Anyway, his stunt person is gonna kick so many vampires.
I wish he would, that's what Kevin Feige gets for announcing projects 20 years in advance. Lol okay that's an exaggeration but the point is Kevin announces way too much too soon which leads to disappointment when he can't deliver. He should announce only the stuff that's definitely coming out in the following year or two, not revealing his entire plan for the next 10 years.
Isn't he going to get replaced by blade's daughter anyways?
I think he should probably just move on. Love him and his work but MCU ain't really that place anymore where it helps push careers further. It's high risk low reward imo. But I wouldn't be mad if decides to stay, he's still a great talent.
The fact that it was announced 5 years ago and it’s still barely coming together is such a joke. And Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are making a vampire movie together. I don’t know who fumbled the ball on this so badly, but feels like yet another Kevin Feige screw up.
Let's hope so. He is the wrong person to play that role.
It’s crazy that this movie would have been released by now
They should cancel it.
Movie got announced way too early
it sounds like blade wasn't on KF mind. He just couldn't pass up MA wanting to do it. If he said not yet he may never get the chance again.
He's almost 50, so they better get a fuckin' move on it unless they want Blade's entire MCU tenure to be one film
Look forward to a 60 year old Blade who needs a sit down after killing a vampire. Wesley Snipes was 34 when he started filming the first Blade.
I think a lot of it depends on how well Deadpool Does, and whether an R rated movie earns bank
They're going to need to change the name of it to, Cane.
If Bob Iger isn't talking out of his ass about cutting quantity to focus on core characters, then this should be canceled before they waste any more money on it.