Mahershala Ali: The Perfect Martian Manhunter for DC’s Future

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It’s become trendy to criticize the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After some recent disappointments, the MCU is at a critical point, and 2026 will be a big year with projects like Wonder Man leading into major releases such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. However, all eyes are currently on Blade. Announced in July 2019 with Mahershala Ali attached to star, the film has faced numerous production delays. DC Studios could offer Ali a fantastic opportunity by giving him a perfect role in one of their projects.

Ali definitely has the skills to play Marvel’s Blade, but it’s frustrating waiting for the movie to come out. James Gunn’s new DC Universe will need a Martian Manhunter soon, and Ali would be amazing in that role.

Mahershala Ali Is Being Wasted on Blade

Everyone’s been asking about the status of the Blade movie, and it’s a complicated story. The project was first announced almost seven years ago at Comic-Con when Kevin Feige introduced Mahershala Ali, who even made a brief voice appearance in Eternals. However, the film has faced numerous setbacks. It’s already gone through two directors – Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange – and they’re currently looking for a third. The script has also been revised by several writers, including Michael Starrbury, Michael Green, Stacy Osei-Kuffour, and Beau DeMayo, among others. To make matters worse, the release date has been delayed multiple times, and it’s even been removed from Disney’s release schedule.

It’s hard not to be confused about the current status of the Blade movie. The character, famously played by Wesley Snipes, has always been popular with Marvel fans. Interest has remained steady since the Marvel Cinematic Universe began in 2008, and it’s actually increased recently thanks to the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which featured a cameo from Snipes as Blade and got everyone talking about how Mahershala Ali would play the role. However, with the release date now set for 2026, the film seems stuck in development. As a result, fans are now hoping Ali might take the character to another superhero film universe.

Martian Manhunter Is the Real Superhero Ali Should Tackle

DC Studios is currently thriving thanks to the successful launch of Superman, and James Gunn’s leadership. While DC Comics has had a complicated relationship with Hollywood in the past, Gunn’s new approach has sparked renewed excitement for its classic characters. With Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow coming soon, fans are eager to see what’s next for the DC Universe, and many hope Ali will consider playing Martian Manhunter instead of Blade.

Martian Manhunter is one of DC Comics’ strongest heroes. First appearing in 1955, he was a founding member of the Justice League. Originally known as J’onn J’onzz, he’s a Martian alien who came to Earth and lived among humans. After initially concealing his true form, he became a public superhero, often teaming up with Superman due to their shared alien abilities.

Martian Manhunter is an incredibly powerful hero in the DC Universe, but surprisingly, he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. While he’s appeared in live-action projects like the CW’s Arrowverse and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a major film dedicated to his story hasn’t happened yet. Considering his impressive body of work, particularly in films like Moonlight and Green Book, Ali would be a perfect choice to play the character. If Marvel seems stuck with Blade, James Gunn’s new DC Universe could be the perfect opportunity to showcase Ali’s talents as this powerful, yet often forgotten, hero.

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2026-01-09 21:43