The upcoming “Blade” reboot starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali will get an “R” rating just like the films that previously starred Wesley Snipes in the lead role…
The highly anticipated “Blade” reboot will have plenty of bite because Marvel Studios has given the greenlight for the upcoming film to receive an “R” rating.
That’s according to director Yann Demange, who will hopefully get back to work on “Blade” once the actors’ strike is concluded with primary production expected to take place in Atlanta. Oscar winner Mahershala Ali will take on the lead role as Blade — a half-human, half-vampire who hunts down and kills as many bloodsuckers as he possibly can.
The original “Blade” trilogy starring Wesley Snipes was also rated “R” but this will be only the second film coming from Marvel Studios with that rating after “Deadpool 3” is released in 2024.
“They gave me the R [rating], which is so important,” Demange revealed to Deadline.
There have been a lot of changes to the “Blade” reboot since the project was first announced by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige at San Diego Comic Con, which is also where Ali was introduced as the new Daywalker taking over the franchise. Writers and directors have both changed while trying to get this film up and running but it appears Demange has his vision for “Blade” and he’s excited to get started again once production is allowed to begin.
While the original “Blade” films were housed under the Marvel Studios banner, the movies starring Snipes became a much beloved cult classic. Obviously the new “Blade” reboot will be different from those films but Demange still knew he had to carry some of that spirit into the upcoming movie starring Ali.
“For Blade, we are going to have fun because Mahershala is such a deep actor,” Demange explained. “I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that. He’s got a dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.”
Ali will be joined on screen by “X” and “Pearl” star Mia Goth with Michael Starrbury working on the script along with some help from “True Detective” creator Nic Pizzolatto.
“Blade” is currently set for release on February 14, 2025.
