As a die-hard fan of the superhero genre, I have had the privilege to witness the evolution of these cinematic titans from their humble beginnings to the powerhouses they are today. And while Deadpool and Wolverine may be household names now, let’s not forget the trailblazer that paved the way for them – Blade, the vampire-hunting antihero.
In today’s popular entertainment, the superhero genre thrives mightily, with Deadpool and Wolverine garnering exceptional praise and amassing over a billion dollars worldwide. However, their success would not have been attainable without Blade, the vampire-slaying anti-hero. Wesley Snipes portrayed this character, becoming a beacon in a trilogy that paved the way for subsequent superhero movies, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. Yet, it was no small feat to bring Blade to the silver screen.
The first Blade: A rocky start
The initial film “Blade” faced its fair share of challenges. It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Wesley Snipes in the role, but surprisingly, he wasn’t the studio’s first pick. Originally, Snipes had expressed interest in portraying Black Panther instead of Blade. However, before the project shifted to New Line Cinema, LL Cool J was a strong contender for it.
Originally responsible for penning all three scripts, David S. Goyer was requested to write another one. However, complications arose when the studio proposed unusual demands, such as making Blade a Caucasian character. This proposition was fiercely opposed by Goyer, who deemed it inappropriate.
During the initial showing of Blade, some issues arose, particularly with the final fight between Blade and his adversary Deacon Frost. Many viewers found this confrontation lacking in power due to its weaknesses, yet instead of being displeased, they ended up laughing at it. In one rendition, Frost transformed into a blood vortex after absorbing powers from La Magra, the god of blood. This was quite over-the-top even by the late 90s standards and appeared absurd at best. Subsequent reshoots were carried out to create more realistic and believable battles as a result.
In addition, issues with proper attribution arose, specifically regarding the authors of Blade – Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan. Initially, New Line Cinema failed to give credit where it was due. However, screenwriter Goyer advocated strongly for their recognition in the opening credits. This move reportedly sparked the ongoing battle for compensation for comic book creators, a struggle that has persisted as the superhero genre has expanded.
Blade: Trinity: A battle behind the scenes
The first Blade movie’s success paved the way for another film titled Blade II, which was skillfully directed by Guillermo del Toro. Goyer’s script and del Toro’s distinctive visual flair resulted in a box office sensation. Consequently, a third installment named Blade: Trinity seemed unavoidable, but it proved to be a challenging ordeal for everyone involved.
One significant issue that arose during the production of Blade: Trinity involved friction between Snipes and Goyer, its director. Originally, Goyer intended to continue as both writer and producer, with another director assuming the role of director. However, when Oliver Hirschbiegel departed to direct Downfall, Goyer was compelled to step in as director, which didn’t sit well with Snipes, resulting in on-set disagreements.
In a chat with Patton Oswalt regarding his part in Blade: Trinity, he dropped a bombshell: Wesley Snipes, our beloved Blade, was a man of few words, seldom engaging directly with Goyer or any other cast members. Instead, he left cryptic, signed messages of Blade all over the set. At times, he’d flat-out refuse to step out of his trailer, leaving Guyer no choice but to rely on digital effects and stand-ins. This peculiar behavior led to the conclusion of the Blade franchise post Blade: Trinity.
It turns out that Snipes’ unhappiness wasn’t due to the reasons people might think. Instead, he took legal action against New Line Cinema and David S. Goyer for their actions, but he also encountered lawsuits from United Talent Agency. However, as time passed, Snipes began to soften some of his claims, including one that implied he threatened to strangle David S. Goyer.
The Blade Reboot challenges
As a die-hard fan, I’ve got to say, the reboot of Blade hasn’t had a smooth sail like our favorite Daywalker himself. Just like the original trilogy, it’s faced its fair share of challenges. One major hurdle was when Bassam Tariq, our initial director, bowed out and Yann Demange stepped up, only to depart as well. The script has been a rollercoaster ride with various screenwriters taking turns, and numerous revisions have been made along the way. To add to the chaos, the writers’ strike caused some serious delays in production. Guess what they say? Vampires might be Blade’s game, but Hollywood is another beast entirely!
Iconic opening scene of Blade and its legal troubles
As I stepped into the pulsating heart of an enigmatic nightclub, little did I know that I was walking into a realm dominated by vampires. Unbeknownst to me, this nocturnal haven was their territory. The chilling moment when I was rescued by Blade is etched deeply in my memory, a testament to the raw brutality and unforgettable nature of the scene. That blood-spattered sprinkler system established the ominous backdrop for Blade’s haunting universe, a world shrouded in darkness that I now inhabit.
In addition, this segment led to some legal complications. New Line Cinema and the company handling the fake blood found themselves in court over claims from three extras: Carol Yvonne Smith, Resa Michelle Hall, and Cleveland Williams. These individuals had developed rashes due to prolonged exposure to stage blood during filming, as they were not permitted to clean off the blood for several hours afterward. This incident underscores the potential long-term effects that filming conditions can have on actors.
Wesley Snipes’s comeback in Deadpool and Wolverine
Initially, it was believed that Wesley Snipes’ character Blade had concluded with the film “Blade: Trinity.” However, this assumption was disproven when he appeared again as Daywalker, alongside Deadpool and Wolverine, in the movie scene. Notably, Jennifer Garner played Elektra, and Channing Tatum portrayed Gambit, both of whom are popular Hollywood figures. This surprising return created one of those delightful moments in superhero films that fans have appreciated greatly.
Initially, he didn’t think Marvel or Disney would show interest, especially considering Mahershala Ali had been cast in a forthcoming reboot. However, everything shifted when Ryan Reynolds unexpectedly reached out to him. Snipes then put in effort to regain his Blade form and even reconciled with Reynolds, acknowledging that his character fit the bill for Deadpool perfectly.
Final Words
The journey of the Blade franchise has had its share of highs and lows. Disagreements, lawsuits, and various challenges marked the path to getting Blade onto the big screen, making it a somewhat rocky road. However, despite these hurdles, Blade left an indelible mark on superhero genre films by paving the way for future productions and proving that even a vampire hunter can achieve box office success.
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2024-08-21 19:23