Mahershala Ali’sBladereboot in the MCU has been stuck in production limbo since its announcement over six years ago. Ali took to the stage at San Diego Comic Con 2019 to announce that he was taking over as the Daywalker from Wesley Snipes, with the character finally being brought into the MCU fold. Over the past six years, the film has received yo-yoing updates and has now been indefinitely shelved by Marvel Studios. But, despite the project being kept on ice by Marvel, Ali’s version of Blade will still be making its way to the MCU, and the first look at the character has finally been revealed. However, some might be disappointed by Blade’s MCU debut (not countingWesley Snipes inDeadpool & Wolverine).
The first look at Mahershala Ali’s MCU Blade doesn’t come to us via an official press release, nor is it from a trailer, teaser, poster, or even a leaked set photo, as there is no set to take photos of. Instead,Mahershala Ali’s Blade has been revealedby… Funko Pops. Before he appears in his own live-action series (if that ever happens), Ali’s Blade will first debut in the upcoming animated Disney+ series,Marvel Zombies. Ali will voice the iconic Daywalker, although it’s not the version of the character that fans are used to.
The version of Blade inMarvel Zombiesblends the original character with a knightly vibe. Known as Blade Knight, the character appears alongside zombie versions of Hawkeye and Captain America (appropriately titled Zombie Hawkeye and Captain America, who’d have thought?).
‘Marvel Zombies’ Technically Isn’t Blade’s MCU Debut
Marvel Zombiesisn’t the MCU debut many were hoping Blade would receive. It takes a lot to replace Wesley Snipes, who was iconic as the character in the original film trilogy, even ifBlade: Trinitywas far from a great movie. ButMarvel Studios' announcement that Ali would take overthe role was met with positive reactions from the majority of the fan base. But then the delays began, and fans have now lost hope inBlade.
That being said, we’ve technically already “seen” Blade in the MCU. Wesley Snipes returning as the original Daywalker inDeadpool & Wolverineis the obvious example. However, Ali’s Blade has also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the past, but you’d be forgiven for not noticing. 2021’sEternalscontained a very brief voice cameo from Ali as Blade, which was initially meant to set up the character for his new movie. But, like the Eternals themselves, it appears as though we might never see Ali’s Blade in live-action again.
Marvel Zombiespremieres on Disney+ on October 3. As the title suggests, the animated series is set in an alternate MCU timeline where a zombie virus has ravaged the planet and infected many beloved Marvel heroes.Alongside Ali’s Blade (Knight),the series also stars Dominique Thorne, Iman Vellani, Florence Pugh, Simu Liu, David Harbour, Elizabeth Olsen, and many more beloved Marvel stars.
Source:@dis.trackers
