One of the most highly anticipated Marvel Studios projects, Blade, has recently run into some trouble. Blade was expected to start filming in just two months, but with the news that director Bassam Tariq has left the project due to scheduling conflicts there have been tons of rumors and questions. Reports have indicated that Mahershala Ali may have been frustrated with the process and unhappy with the script. There have also been reports that with the loss of director the Marvel movie may be delayed indefinitely, however neither this nor Ali’s thoughts about the project have been confirmed.
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Blade was first announced at San Diego Comic Con in 2019 and fans have been clamoring for the movie’s release and introduction of the vampire hunter ever since. He was teased at the end of Eternals in the post-credits scene when he warns Dane Whitman not to touch the Ebony Blade. However, there hasn’t been any substantial movement since that tease. Now, it seems Marvel fans may have an even longer wait. After this news broke we did some digging to learn more about the script and what we learned would be an exciting exploration into the character of Blade.
NEW DETAILS ABOUT BLADE SCRIPT
According to our sources the new Blade movie was going to be set largely in the 1920s and feature European Vampires. We’ve also heard that Blade may features scenes in multiple time periods beyond the 1920s. Presumably this could follow him in the decades after the 1920s, perhaps even leading into the modern era of the MCU. This could all change given the behind-the-scenes shakes ups, but it indicates the movie would have focused on Blade’s, aka Eric Cross Brooks’, origins likely taking major influence from the comics. In the comics Eric Cross Brooks was born in a London Brothel in the year 1929.
While his mother was giving birth complications arose and a doctor was called, but the doctor was actually a vampire, Deacon Frost, in disguise. Frost bit and killed Eric’s mother somehow transferring vampire enzymes and changing Eric’s DNA, making him a human-vampire hybrid. Eric was raised in the London brothel and trained to fight vampires by Jamal Afari, a jazz musician.
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Afari eventually gave Eric the nickname Blade because of his proficiency with knives and daggers. Eric hunted numerous vampires in Europe losing loved ones and allies, including Afari, in his endless quest to destroy vampires. Given recent reports, it is unclear whether or not this will change.
If Ali is indeed unhappy with the script and with director Bassam Tariq leaving the project, this could lead to a major change in direction for the movie. If Marvel and the next director continues in this direction, it’s an exciting story possibility that hasn’t yet been explored on screen. Digging into Blade’s origins in a period piece could give important insight into the character and the world of the MCU in the early 20th century.
When Blade ultimately comes into the MCU in the modern era, he would likely be a hardened vampire hunter with nearly a century of experience. Seeing his early days could prove to be not only compelling, but integral to understanding how he has become the man he is. Having the movie set in the 1920s could also establish the long standing feuds that the vampire hunter has with many very powerful vampires including Dracula himself, who is responsible for Blade losing Jamal Afari.
If the movie were to introduce a character like Dracula, it could track the continued feud throughout multiple decades culminating in the modern era of Marvel, especially with characters like Werewolf By Night joining the MCU ranks.
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At the moment Blade seems to be a bit up in the air with changes behind the scenes, but it is interesting to learn what could be or could have been on the horizon for this iconic Marvel character. Blade is a unique opportunity to explore an entirely new era in the MCU with tons of new characters and concepts. If the script does change hopefully it still leans into a unique and compelling story to introduce the dangerous Day Walker.
Blade is scheduled to be released in theaters November 3, 2023 although this could change. Are you excited for Blade? Who do you want to see take the helm as director? Would you want to see the iconic vampire hunter’s origins explored in the 1920s? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media and check back with The Illuminerdi for more MCU and Blade.
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