As a long-time admirer of the Marvel Universe and its expansive lore, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about what could have been with the proposed sequel to 1998’s groundbreaking film, Blade. The alternate ending, which teased a showdown between our beloved Daywalker and Morbius the Living Vampire, promised an electrifying blend of action, drama, and supernatural intrigue.
Through the MCU, Avengers films, and now the Marvel multiverse, it’s commonplace to see comic book characters appearing in each other’s movies. However, this wasn’t always standard practice, as a Marvel production from the 1990s nearly achieved it years before the arrival of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor on the scene. That film was “Blade,” which debuted the legendary Daywalker…and almost spawned a sequel featuring him battling another Marvel antihero.
In an unusual twist to the movie Blade, we find the vampire hunter, played by Wesley Snipes, encountering none other than Morbius the Living Vampire at a distance. This unconventional ending can be viewed, though regrettably in poor quality, thanks to YouTube user @letalprotectoryt1980. The modified finale for Blade mirrors the original storyline, with our hero, Blade, ascending onto a rooftop to instruct his ally, Karen, to preserve her cure as he continues his vampire-hunting crusade.
This is where things take a turn towards the intriguing, as Blade is told he’s “on the clock.” Looking up, we get our first look at this universe’s version of Morbius. All dressed in black, with his long coat blowing in the wind in that epic way that only action cinema can achieve, this was all part of director Stephen Norrington and writer David S. Goyer’s plan for a Blade versus Morbius sequel. In fact, so committed were they to the idea, that Norrington himself played Morbius in the scene.
‘Blade 2’ Would Have Seen the Daywalker Do Battle With Morbius
The commentary track on the Blade DVD suggests that this particular scene was meant to pave the way for a sequel, similar to the Joker card reveal in Batman Begins’ closing moments. Despite being somewhat tacky and predictable, it’s intriguing to contemplate what a Blade 2 featuring the Daywalker and Morbius might have been like. Regrettably, these ideas were scrapped when Guillermo del Toro assumed control over the Blade follow-up, resulting in a distinctive and unquestionably brilliant Marvel production instead.
The development of a new “Blade” installment within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been underway, but it’s faced numerous hurdles. The project has seen a series of director and writer changes, as well as delays that have left its lead actor, Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, feeling frustrated. On the other hand, Wesley Snipes recently reappeared in the iconic role for the multiverse chaos of “Deadpool” and “Wolverine.” Many fans, including Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, are now advocating for Snipes to star in a standalone fourth film as his swansong.
2022 marks my debut on the big screen as Morbius, the living vampire, a role I’ve eagerly anticipated but some fans seem to wish I’d remained in my crypt instead. Sharing the stage with characters like Tom Hardy’s Venom and Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web, my film, led by Jared Leto, received harsh criticism from critics, garnering a mere 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s hard not to ponder how differently things might have turned out if I had been introduced in the limelight alongside Wesley Snipes’ iconic Blade character back in the day.
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2024-11-24 17:01