BLADE  Mahershala Ali, Jennifer Lawrence

Blade is a 1998 American superhero horror film directed by Stephen Norrington and written by David S. Goyer. Based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name, it is the first installment in the Blade franchise. The film stars Wesley Snipes in the title role with Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, and N’Bushe Wright in supporting roles.

In the film, Blade is a Dhampir, a human with vampire strengths but not their weaknesses, who along with his mentor Abraham Whistler and hematologist Karen Jenson, fights against vampires, namely the highly vicious Deacon Frost. Released on August 21, 1998, Blade was a commercial success, grossing $70 million at the United States box office and $131.2 million worldwide.

Despite mixed reviews from film critics, the film received positive reception from audiences and has since garnered a cult following. It is also hailed as one of Snipes’ breakout roles. It was followed by two sequels, Blade II and Blade: Trinity, both written by Goyer who also directed the latter. Blade was a dark superhero film for its time. The success of Blade marked the beginning of Marvel’s cinematic success and paved the way for other comic book film adaptations.

The highly anticipated Blade, starring Mahershala Ali as the iconic vampire hunter, has faced numerous production challenges. Initially announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, the film has experienced significant delays due to script rewrites, director changes, and other issues. Originally slated for a 2023 release, the film is now scheduled to debut on November 7, 2025.

The movie, part of Marvel’s Phase 6, is expected to reintroduce Blade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Ali briefly voiced the character in a cameo during the post-credits scene of Eternals. The film will feature an impressive cast, including Mia Goth, though her role remains undisclosed. The story, likely to focus on Blade’s half-vampire nature, is still being developed and could feature a darker tone than many previous MCU entries. Fans are hoping it might get an R-rating due to its vampire-centric themes, a departure from the usual MCU family-friendly content.