‘That’s a Movie Star’ — Guillermo del Toro Credits Wesley Snipes for ‘100%’ of Blade’s Iconic Persona After Marvel Studios’ Mahershala Ali Reboot Canceled
Guillermo del Toro, director of Blade 2, credited Wesley Snipes with creating the iconic Blade persona in an IGN30 Icons Series interview. According to del Toro, the failure of Mahershala Ali’s Blade reboot—originally announced in 2019—was not due to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, though the project suffered numerous setbacks before ultimately being canceled. Ali had committed significantly to the role, training extensively in multiple martial arts disciplines and sustaining a knee injury during preparation. Frustrated by the project’s troubled development, Ali eventually abandoned the role entirely. Del Toro’s remarks underscore Snipes’ foundational influence on the Blade character and raise questions about the franchise’s uncertain future within Marvel Studios.