Here’s What The MCU Could Learn From the Original Blade Movie

by

1998 marked a revolutionary shift in the world of cinema with the debut of Blade. Although actor Wesley Snipes was already a notable draw, the character of Blade and the associated Marvel lore were not typically mainstream elements; adding to the challenge was an R-rating for the movie, which significantly limited the potential audience for a comic book film. Surprisingly, against all these obstacles (and others seldom discussed), Blade went on to achieve blockbuster success, and more importantly, served as a groundbreaking release that paved the way for the rise of superhero movies as a common Hollywood trend.

By the year 2025, it seems as though the comic book movie phenomenon may be nearing its final, exhaustive phase – unless there’s a significant creative resurgence. Interestingly enough, this could be the optimal moment for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to ensure its longevity by revisiting its roots and re-evaluating how Blade, the Marvel film that set the trend, managed to cast its spell.

Movie Stars Matter

In essence, it’s crucial to acknowledge that movie stars continue to hold significant weight in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). For instance, Wesley Snipes’ involvement was a major selling point when Blade was initially released, as his fame had soared during the transition from ’80s action icons like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis to a new wave of martial arts stars including Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan, and Snipes himself. Furthermore, Snipes was among the most prominent African-American actors on screen at that time, boasting a diverse fanbase that transcended various demographics. This expansive appeal attracted a broad audience to the film, enabling an unestablished Marvel character to swiftly surpass any genre prejudice. Fast forward to today, Blade remains celebrated as one of Stephen Dorff’s most memorable breakout roles, with his portrayal of Deacon Frost still highly regarded.

It’s clear that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has understood the power of stardom: its entire foundation is rooted in the fame of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Yet, following Avengers: Endgame, it appears that the strength of the brand has surpassed the significance of individual stars. While the MCU has successfully introduced lesser-known actors like Iman Villani, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Holland; phases 4-6 suggest that movies without A or B-list stars don’t perform as well as anticipated. Going forward, the studio needs to be cautious, ensuring a major star is at the heart of each production. And when you do secure a talent like Mahershala Ali, who has won multiple Oscars, it’s crucial not to squander that opportunity!

Clear & Simple Appeal

For years, there’s been a popular jab that Marvel Studios delaying the reboot of a Blade film is a significant blunder, given it can easily follow a straightforward formula: thrilling action sequences with a dash of vampires. Underneath the jest lies a substantial truth: a Blade movie doesn’t require anything more than an exhilarating action flick that incorporates superheroes and vampires as bonus elements. Essentially, it’s a winning combination of three popular movie genres today – horror, action, and superheroes. Most significantly, those are three easily understood terms (“horror”, “action”, “superheroes”) for any average cinema-goer to understand why they should flock to see a Blade film.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has a tendency to rely solely on its brand recognition to draw audiences to theaters, but this isn’t sufficient. Each Marvel film needs a straightforward concept and an allure that appeals not only to comic book enthusiasts, but casual moviegoers as well. Every production should offer a cinematic experience that feels relatable or offers something truly unique, rather than being simply ‘another Marvel movie.’ At present, the films in the MCU’s “Multiverse Saga” are coming across as overly complex and require excessive backstory or heavy promotion to convince people to spend their money on them. These movies should be able to sell themselves more effectively.

Budget Your Budgets

The film titled “Blade” was produced at a cost of $45 million, yet it delivered the blockbuster experience one would anticipate. In 1998, a budget of that magnitude held more significance – as did the impressive $130 million it earned at the box office. It’s worth noting that “Blade” (and its sequels) were visionary, even surpassing the level of quality we’d later associate with the Marvel Cinematic Universe during its peak. The success of “Blade” demonstrated the lucrative potential for comic book adaptations in Hollywood; however, studios often tended to move too quickly, funding projects such as “X-Men” (2000) and “Spider-Man” (2002) with significantly higher budgets ranging from $75 million to $150 million.

Although every bubble eventually pops, it appears the peak for Marvel movie earnings has significantly decreased since “Endgame.” If a film like “Blade” can blend multiple genres and achieve success with a budget of $45 million, there are numerous other Marvel characters and properties that could follow suit. The “Werewolf By Night” special presentation didn’t require an extravagant budget to succeed. It’s worth noting that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has opportunities to produce more mid-range or even low-budget projects capable of generating substantial profits.

Diversify Your Content

If the phrase seems a bit ambiguous, that’s exactly what it’s intended to be. Marvel Studios needs to broaden their content offerings – this time with genuine diversity. While I won’t delve into the ongoing discussions about Marvel Studios’ efforts towards (apparent) diversity and accusations of pandering, it’s evident that the approach of creating something for every audience wasn’t the valuable lesson the studio should have learned from the extraordinary success of “Black Panther” in cinemas.

The film “Blade” is a unique blend of movie genres, unlike anything we’ve encountered in recent memory. It seamlessly merges R-rated horror with top-tier martial arts action, an uncommon duo to start with. Adding comic book motifs to this mix displays a high level of audacity, as contemporary standards would suggest. The movie features unusual tonal shifts (Shakespearean dialogue, graphic violence and suspense, humor), and it includes complex subplots that might fracture other films – for instance, the plot twist where Deacon Frost transforms Blade’s mother into a vampire and holds her captive as his concubine for years.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but sing praises for the iconic film, “Blade.” Despite being just one movie among many in the comic book genre, it stands out as a truly unique masterpiece that continues to resonate with fans today. What sets it apart is not just its genre-bending style, but also its groundbreaking representation.

Although the lead role of Blade was played by a black actor, the film never reduced itself to simply a race-centric narrative. And yet, the impact it had on both black and non-black audiences was undeniably powerful, paving the way for the realization that diverse actors can carry these films with equal success.

Moreover, “Blade” served as a game-changer in showcasing Marvel’s vast array of potential franchise characters. Prior to its release, it seemed like only Spider-Man and X-Men had a place on the big screen. But with “Blade,” we witnessed firsthand that when executed effectively, even lesser-known characters could captivate audiences and drive successful franchises.

In essence, without the success of “Blade” as a proof of concept, we may never have been graced with the cinematic adventures of Iron Man or Thor.

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) grows larger, it’s time for Marvel Studios to broaden their movie-making approach beyond their current formula, similar to what DC Studios is doing. The release of “Werewolf By Night” hinted that the MCU could be prepared for a horror genre niche. In fact, they should have learned this lesson from Blade, which hinted at this back in its day…

Blade (1998) is streaming on Roku right now.

https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/blade-morbius-crossover-deleted-scene/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-21 01:19