I really like Blade. Blade is a really interesting character, with a cool look. I haven’t really read any comics that he’s appeared in, but I have seen him in plenty of other things, particularly films! I really enjoyed the New Line Cinema Blade movie trilogy, and think it stands out as one of the better superhero movie trilogies to date. And it’s no secret that I also really enjoyed the short lived TV series also. So it should come as no real surprise then, when I say that I am seriously looking forward to the new Blade movie…when it comes out!
Yes, it’s no secret that whilst a new Blade movie was announced back in 2019, for a hopeful release for 2023, that the film has slipped deeper and deeper into ‘Development Hell‘. Basically, it’s going the same way as 20th Century Fox‘s planned Gambit movie (which I was also really excited to see, as he is my favourite X-Men character). The new Blade has already been cast, with two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali taking on the role.
However, directors for the new film, don’t stick around long enough to actually make it. Originally Bassam Tariq was confirmed to direct it, but left a year later. And then Yann Demange was hired, with principal photography due to begin after the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, but that too didn’t happen, with Demage leaving the project due to “creative disagreements and the lack of direction”.
So right now, Blade doesn’t have a director, nor does it have a planned release date, and is instead just an announced film hanging in a void, until Marvel decides what they want to do with it. I hope that it does get made, as I have been wanting a new Blade film for nearly two decades. Out of all genuinley announced Marvel films not yet released, Blade is the one I am most looking forward to; at least until Marvel decides what it’s going to do about a new X-Men film.
But whilst we could just stare out into space, waiting for news as to whether Blade (or even an unnannounced X-Men film) is going ahead, or has been cancelled; I thought it might be fun to list some directors who I think could potentially turn Blade around, and make the Blade film we all want to see. And who knows, maybe Marvel/Disney will see this post, and consider them too (unlikely I know, but we can all dream).
5. Gareth Evans – Due to Blade being a Vampire (ish) character, he does lean more towards horror, and that audience. Gareth Evans hasn’t done much in the way of horror. Where Evans has leant more towards is fast, hard hitting, well choreographed martial arts films; as demonstrated in both The Raid, and The Raid 2. He also has an interest in comics too, as he did apparently pitch an idea for a Deathstroke solo film in 2017. Whilst nothing came of that, I think he would be an excellent choice for a new Blade film, as the original trilogy featured a lot of martial arts fighting, plus his interest in comics would be beneficial in approaching the character the right way!
4. Jordan Peele – Much like another director on this list, I am surprised that Jordan Peele hasn’t been picked up by Marvel/Disney to direct an MCU movie. Given his instant sucesses (and even an Academy Award) with the films Get Out, Us, and Nope, I would have thought he would have been snapped up as soon as he was available. Jordan Peele obviously has a great vision for horror movies, and much like I suggested above, Blade is more of a horror character, so surely a new, and very successful horror director would be a good choice to direct a new Blade film?!
3. David Leitch – When I think of Blade at Disney, it’s hard to see how a character with a history of being in violent films (and a superb TV series), could fit in with Disney’s family orientated demographic. Which is also why I think the key to making this new Blade film work, is to make it R-Rated, much like another Marvel character achieved so well. I am of course talking about Deadpool, which is why I am throwing Leitch’s name into the ring. His list of films include Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde, and (uncredited, and co-directed with Chad Stahelski) John Wick. Leitch obviously knows a thing or two about making terrific action movies, plus much like another director on this list has worked with another Marvel character, so I think he is more than a worthy consideration for a new Blade movie!
2. Takashi Miike – Given Disney’s family friendly approach to film making, image, and demographic; it is close to impossible seeing Takashi Miike being given the job of directing any movie produced by them. Takashi Miike has largely built his movie making career making films that feature “extreme graphic violence“, with some of his best known works being Audition, Ichi the Killer, 13 Assassins, and an episode of Masters of Horror, which was pulled from broadcast for being “too disturbing“. So yeah, he’s an incredibly unlikely choice to direct a new Blade film, even if he also has experience directing bizzare, dramatic, and even family friendly movies. But let’s not forget how the first Blade film started, with a blood bath at a rave, followed by Blade cleaning house…need I say more?!
1. Guillermo del Toro – I am genuinley surprised that he’s not even been asked (as far as we know). Guillermo del Toro has directed three comic-book adapaptations, one of which was a Blade film. If Marvel/Disney are looking for a safe pair of hands to direct a new Blade film, who better than Guillermo del Toro? Yes, his films have in the past not made as much money as most Marvel films do, however; del Toro has won more Academy Awards than the Marvel Cinematic Universe has (8 to 4). And it’s probably also fair to say, that he hasn’t once made a truly bad film (OK, Mimic is the weak one, but I wouldn’t call it a bad film, the MCU on the other hand…). Yeah, it boggles the mind (mine at least), that someone with a history of making great films, and even has a connection to the character, hasn’t even been considered as a suitable choice, to direct a new Blade film!
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