Marvel Studios’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend certainly didn’t disappoint. Kevin Feige and countless stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe hopped on stage to deliver one bombshell after another, finally revealing the majority of the studio’s plans for Phase 4 in the process and also very nearly breaking the internet.
While the majority of the presentation was dedicated to bringing us new information and cast member reveals for projects that fans already knew were in development, Feige did manage to keep one huge surprise under wraps until right near the end, when he hit us with the announcement that two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali is set to suit up as the title character in a reboot of Blade.
Of course, Marvel have held the rights to the property since 2011, but many figured that Disney would never move forward with a reboot due to how difficult it would be to bring the vampire hunter’s R-rated exploits into the squeaky clean MCU. Roping in Ali is a huge step forward though and bodes very well for the project, no matter which direction they choose to take it in, and with a star now set, the hunt for a director has begun.
As of yet, we have no idea who Marvel may be eyeing, but if you take a look over on Twitter, it would seem that the fans are pretty adamant about the fact that whoever gets behind the camera, they should be black.
Would love a black director for Blade but I guess unlike Black Panther, it's not really necessary
— If Beale Street Could Twerk (@camerouninema) July 22, 2019
I don't think anyone is doubting a white director could make a good blade movie, but this is just a very good opportunity for another black director to helm a Marvel movie starring a beloved black character.
— daniel☁️ (@dannyonfilm) July 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/DeucesRage/status/1153033752148434949
https://twitter.com/DeucesRage/status/1153028909111414784
https://twitter.com/DoctorRagnarok/status/1153362000891830272
https://twitter.com/WestxCoastxBias/status/1153849182958084096
If this is in regard to Blade, here’s an idea; hire a good black director.
— Samhain Niles (@SamNiles) July 23, 2019
As of now, Mr. Ryan Coogler is the ONLY Black director at Marvel. I don’t care if it upsets certain people, Blade is going to be as Black as Black Panther. So my list for possible directors are: Dee Rees, Nia DaCosta, or Jordan Peele. I really want a Black Woman director, tho.
— Angel 🌸 (@Angelforlife98) July 23, 2019
No shade but I really hope they chose a black director for Blade. We've seen the positive results of black heroes being handled by them and now I don't want to imagine anything else tbqh…
— Nerdy Daytona (@RoknRollPumpkin) July 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/DoctorRagnarok/status/1153030893356888066
Blade better have a black director. 🧐@MarvelStudios @Marvel
— Lando Lakes (@pluslando) July 21, 2019
Of course, the argument could also be made that Blade isn’t necessarily a character who requires a black director behind the camera. After all, the original 1998 flick, which was hugely successful, had a white filmmaker. Then again, it’s easy to see why people are into this idea, as it does represent a great opportunity to hand a major blockbuster to a director of color, which we don’t see very often.
In any case, the reboot still has a long way to go before it arrives and right now, it’s too early to say what’ll happen. Given Marvel’s track record though, we’ve no doubt that they’ll choose the person who’s best suited for the job, should they be black or white, or something else entirely, and as soon as we learn who’s directing the Blade reboot, we’ll be sure to let you know.