Mahershala Ali’s Blade Has Reportedly Entirely Let Go of One Former Lead Actor in Upcoming Movie
Mahershala Ali rose to fame with his character portrayal as Richard Tyler in The 4400 from 2004 to 2007 followed by his big-screen debut in 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttom. Ali gained worldwide recognition with his supporting roles in House of Cards and The Hunger Games series.
He also was the first Black actor to win two Academy Awards in the same category. In a recent report related to MCU’s Blade, which stars Mahershala Ali as the lead, reported that a very crucial character from the movie was let go.
Also read: Mahershala Ali Gives the Most Positive Blade Update
Mahershala Ali’s Blade was set to feature Aaron Pierre in an ‘unknown leading’ character
In a recent cover story by The Hollywood Reporter for Aaron Pierre, it had been reported that he was supposed to play an ‘unknown leading’ role in the movie; Blade before the project went into limbo. The report did not mention what kind of character was Pierre expected to play but the actor is no longer attached to the project.
Pierre who rose to fame with his performance in The Underground Railroad was the third addition to the Blade cast. Variety reported Delroy Lindo’s joining the cast in a mystery role in November 2021.
Back in 2022, Collider also reported Pierre’s joining Mahershala Ali’s Blade and at the Toronto Film Festival, the actor expressed his excitement to feature in a Marvel movie.
“I think it’s just the MCU is something that, from a very young age, I’ve always looked to and been inspired by and been excited by- and at times been empowered by. You know, particularly with movies like Black Panther and things like this. So I think for me, honestly, it’s just- I’m tremendously grateful and just abundantly thankful to even have been considered to become part of that family.”
The actor noted in his cover story interview with THR that he’s excited to voice the lead character in Disney’s prequel Mufasa: The Lion King. He added that the original voice of the character voiced by actor James Earl Jones served as an inspiration to him and he found himself watching his old clips of the portrayal of Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences.
Also read: BTS Drama Had ‘True Detective’ Creator Taking His Name Off From His Own Novel’s Film Adaptation
New plot details for Mahershala Ali’s Blade leaked?
Mahershala Ali will be taking over the role of Blade, which was previously played by Wesley Snipes from 1998 to 2004. In a recent report by GameRant, Marvel Studios is looking forward to having a fresh take on the character with Yann Demange directing the movie.
Blade is one of the highly awaited movies of MCU’s Phase 5 and industry insider Daniel RPK shared that the movie is going to be Rated R just like the original movies. He added on Patreon that the plot of the movie is going to involve the villain Lilith going after Blade’s daughter’s blood to create an army of day walkers. Her weapon is said to be the supernatural Ebony Blade.
According to reports, fans believe that for Mahershala Ali’s Blade to enter the MCU, the character should be exciting and new yet faithful and authentic to the essence of what made the character famous and one of the fan favorites.
Mahershala Ali had previously shared with EW in December 2023 that he is optimistic about Blade, which is scheduled for November 7th, 2024 release. He mentioned at the time,
“We’re working on it. That’s the best I could tell you. I’m really encouraged with the direction of the project. We’ll be back at it relatively soon. I’m sincerely encourage in tersm of where things are at and who’s on board and who’s leading the way as far as the writing of the script and the directing and all that.”
Blade has gone through a lot with the changing of five writers during development and rumors about an overhauled script had halted the development of the movies. The strikes acted as an addition to put a pause to the movie to halt but it is now known to be scheduled for November 7th, 2024 release.
