It has been 17 years since the "Daywalker" used his martial arts excellence and vampire super-strength to defeat Deacon Frost in the original cult-classic "Blade." Marvel comics gave birth to the sympathetic and brooding vampire hunter played by Wesley Snipes by partnering with New Line Cinema.
The fighting scenes were exciting and Snipes was masterful as he portrayed the half-vampire, half-human Eric Brooks. The villain was wicked and predictable, and in the end, good triumphed over evil by combining sheer will, supernatural powers and modern chemistry.
But why were the sequels so average?
The Original Simply Set the Bar Too High
The second installment of the franchise was more complicated and dove deeply into the vampire history, tradition and lore. There was an expanded cast and a love interest, and the movie did well.
Unfortunately, most true Marvel followers were disappointed in the fighting sequences, which is a major issue on a "Blade" movie. The studio decided to rely much more on special effects and computer-generated images than on the artistic fighting display that Snipes put on in the original film.
Blade relied on some comedic relief from Ryan Reynolds in Blade Trinity
The third installment featured some comic relief from Ryan Reynolds and the plot centered around the most deadly vampire of all"¦Dracula. This third chapter in the saga was the most disappointing of the three, and led to the eventual demise of the franchise. The fans of the Daywalker had all but given up hope for another project, until now.
Will the Daywalker rise again?
So What Does The Future Hold?
Recently, Wesley Snipes sat down with Marvel executives and reopened the old wounds. In a recent interview, Snipes was quoted as saying:
"The project is controlled by Marvel and we did have a really productive and a wonderful meeting and we discussed a number of things. I don't know where it's on their schedule at this point, that hasn't been decided. I guess it's still up in the air."
With 3 movies under his belt, Snipes has said he wants to make Blade 4
The response from Mr. Snipes was typical of anyone dealing with Marvel Studios. Their responses are usually bland, cryptic and sound like they are bound by the limits of some mysterious non-disclosure agreement. He went on to be just as vague:
"I've always been a fan of these pieces and adaptations and it'd be nice to be a part of the family again. But if we don't do a Blade 4 or something else with Marvel, we'll do something else. We have some other characters and some other concepts that are going to be just as exciting and hopefully just as successful."
Vague answers, but what about the MCU???
Is a Cross-Over In the Mix With Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
Somewhere along the way, it had to happen. The inevitable question had to come up. Anytime anyone talks about superheroes, especially Marvel superheroes, the question has to be asked as to whether or not the hero in question will have some sort of interaction with the Avengers at some point.
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone anymore. After all, the question was prevalent as to whether or not the Guardians of the Galaxy would run into Tony Stark and friends in the future.
Every hero wants to team-up with the Avengers"¦why should Blade be any different?
If a crazy raccoon and a talking tree can be rumored to be mixing it up with Earth's mightiest heroes, then a daywalking vampire is a no-brainer. When asked directly about a cross over with Blade and the Avengers being a possibility in the future, Snipes had this to say:
"It would be interesting. I mean, I know it's in the comic book. It would be interesting to see where they would place him and where he would fit in." He added, " He's got to bite somebody. I don't know who he's going to bite."
Twist continues"¦.
Let the Dark Side Reign
Snipes has said that he would welcome the opportunity to work on "Blade 4." He has proclaimed it for years as a matter of fact. Yet the prolific action hero has also stated that he has plenty to work on while Marvel decides what Blade's future will be.
This back and forth sounds like the two sides are posturing and attempting to gain an advantage for themselves in some upcoming negotiation. Unfortunately, both sides may be missing the greatest opportunity there is for this character to fully develop and draw in fans.
Netflix could be the venue that the Blade franchise needs for its revival
Marvel's recent Netflix project Daredevil was an absolute smash hit. It had dark edges, violent themes, psychological suspense and fantastic dramatic timing. It also had the freedom that comes along with a cable-type project.
The binge-watching demographic took a hold of Daredevil when it was released, and they held on tight and enjoyed the ride. This could be the perfect venue to introduce a daywalking vampire that fights crime and kills evil vampires.
What do you think folks?Let us know!
