Marvel’s Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by Night

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Marvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by Night

Summary

  • Blade
    ‘s troubled production history highlights the challenge of making a good movie with a complex character like Blade.
  • Werewolf by Night could be the key ingredient missing from Marvel’s
    Blade
    reboot to help the film reach its potential.
  • Pairing Blade and Werewolf by Night in a Marvel team-up could solve many of the film’s problems and elevate both characters.

As a lifelong fan of the Blade trilogy and a connoisseur of all things supernatural, I find myself deeply intrigued by the prospect of Marvel Studios introducing Werewolf by Night to the MCU’s vampire slayer. Having grown up with the original films, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the black-and-white morality they portrayed. However, as someone who has also witnessed the evolution of storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I am eager to see how these characters will be developed and intertwined.

Among all the Marvel Studios productions that have faced production hurdles unexpectedly, it’s surprising that it’s Blade. When Marvel Studios unveiled the upcoming Blade project in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con with Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali as the lead, it appeared to be a straightforward decision. After all, Blade had starred in three films between 1998 and 2004, so integrating him into the MCU should have been a smooth process given that the groundwork was already laid out. However, due to various factors like delays caused by COVID-19 and writers’ and actors’ strikes, as well as two directors withdrawing from the project, Blade has become Marvel Studios’ most problematic production.

As a longtime fan of the Blade franchise, I can confidently say that creating a successful Blade movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is no walk in the park. Having grown up watching Wesley Snipes bring the Daywalker to life on screen, I’ve come to appreciate the complexity and depth of this character that makes him more than just a vampire hunter.

Blade’s Problematic History With the Evil Species Trope

Marvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by Night

Although the Blade trilogy is deeply cherished by fans, demonstrated by the enthusiastic reception to Wesley Snipes reprising the legendary role in Deadpool and Wolverine, the ending of Blade: Trinity unfortunately left a bitter taste for the entire series. In the first film, Blade’s origin and his crusade against vampires are introduced, while in Blade II, he allies with vampires to combat a shared menace. However, due to his bond with Nyssa, a vampire born into this world, Blade begins to question whether all vampires were inherently evil. Since some of them did not choose to be born as such, should they still face death for their existence?

Instead of developing the theme that Blade should view not all vampires as evil, Blade: Trinity chooses to reinforce the idea of vampires as malevolent adversaries and concludes with Blade and his human associates engineering a virus intended to annihilate all vampires. This action raises ethical concerns, especially considering characters like Nyssa who were born vampires or those who merely sought to live peacefully.

The evil race/evil species trope is one common trope in fantasy and science fiction that categorizes an entire category as “evil,” from the Orcs in Lord of the Rings to the vampires in the Blade trilogy. The concept of the evil races in fantasy and sci-fi often draws from real-world stereotypes that characterize real-world groups of people that can be hurtful and offensive. A lot of modern pop culture has moved towards correcting this idea, like how, in 2020, Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast removed the concept of goblins and orcs being evil races. Marvel Studios themselves subverted fans’ expectations of Captain Marvel by taking the Skrull, one of Marvel Comics’ most famous “evil” race of aliens, and making them a refugee species.

Embarking on a transformative voyage where Blade learns not all vampires are wicked and admits his past biases was a compelling journey within the MCU. This development sets him apart from earlier portrayals and connects with previous films, yet brings the character up-to-date for contemporary times. Marvel Studios has an ideal character to aid Blade in addressing this matter, and that is Werewolf by Night.

Werewolf by Night Protects the Vampires Blade Looks to Hunt

Marvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by Night

On October 7, 2022, the character Jack Russell, portrayed by Gael García Bernal, made his first appearance in the Disney+ special “Werewolf by Night.” This character is none other than the Werewolf by Night himself. Interestingly, when he’s not transformed into a werewolf, Russell appears to be rescuing various supernatural creatures from hunters like Blade. In this story, disguised as a hunter to save his companion Ted (Man-Thing), it seems that Jack has supposedly slain over 100 monsters. However, the implication is that these monsters were not killed but rather saved and helped disappear off the radar to avoid being hunted further.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Werewolf by Night is portrayed as a protector of supernatural creatures, which often places him at odds with Blade. This dynamic bears a resemblance to the ideological disagreements between Captain America and Iron Man during the events of “Captain America: Civil War.” The introduction of Werewolf by Night to Blade not only expands his roster of supernatural adversaries but also offers him a fresh perspective on these creatures.

In “Werewolf by Night,” Blade’s deeply-held beliefs about supernatural beings as inherently evil might be put to the test, leading him on a character journey. Initially convinced that all such creatures should be vanquished, he encounters and clashes with Jack Russell’s werewolf alter ego. This encounter triggers a change of heart in Blade, causing him to reassess his mission. Instead of indiscriminately hunting all supernatural beings, he could transform into a hero who fights the wicked while also safeguarding those in need. This storyline could introduce an MCU adaptation of the comic’s narrative where Blade assumes the role of sheriff within the vampire nation.

Blade and Werewolf by Night are the Best Kind of Marvel team-up

Marvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by NightMarvel's Blade Problem Can Be Fixed Using Werewolf by Night

Combining Blade and Werewolf by Night in a single movie presents an intriguing proposal, as it offers a fresh take on a Blade flick while expanding upon the narrative from the Werewolf by Night special. By incorporating Werewolf by Night, the film opens up possibilities for introducing characters like Man-Thing and Elsa Bloodstone, but if the focus is to maintain the essence of a Blade movie, it could keep the team-up limited to just these two characters. The combination of vampires and werewolves echoes classic Hollywood traditions from Universal Monster movies to Underworld and Twilight. Similarly, Werewolf by Night’s inclusion doesn’t detract from the central focus of Blade, much like how Captain America: Civil War remained a Captain America movie despite featuring 11 other Marvel heroes, or how Thor: Ragnarok is still Thor’s film despite a significant role for the Hulk.

Introducing Werewolf by Night into the Blade universe could address several challenges for Marvel, as it adds freshness to future Blade movies and introduces a cherished new character that significantly influences Blade’s development. This shift from black-and-white perceptions of vampires and monsters towards a deeper understanding is key to Marvel’s success. The focus isn’t on continuity but the compelling dynamic between characters from distinct corners of the franchise. The prospect of Mahershala Ali and Gael García Bernal sharing screen time, regardless of genre, promises an enticing acting collaboration that may appeal to audiences who might not typically watch Marvel films but enjoy watching talented actors perform together.

After Comic-Con and D23 have concluded, there’s been no news yet about the future of Blade or if it will stick to its planned release date in November 2025. Though the Halloween special of Werewolf by Night was well-received, Marvel has not provided any recent updates on its future plans. It’s possible that these two supernatural characters, typically operating outside the usual superhero sphere, could complement each other and generate increased excitement for the upcoming Blade reboot. By the way, you can stream Werewolf by Night on Disney+.

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2024-08-12 04:31