Believe it or not, there’s some actual good news about Marvel’s Blade movie. Yes, the one we first heard about four years ago when Mahershala Ali was announced to play the Daywalker. While writers and directors have come and gone, causing many delays, fans have held on to one simple expectation for the film: it damn well better be R-rated. Well, current director Yann Demange wants fans to know their wish has been granted.
Speaking with Deadline, Demange said…
“They gave me the R, which is so important.”
“I come out of [his new short film, Dammi] wanting to be more open, more vulnerable and bring a more personal aspect to my work. But for Blade, we are going to have fun because Mahershala is such a deep actor.”
Let the blood flow! Seriously, you gotta go all out with a movie like Blade, and it’s good to know that Demange won’t be forced to make an all-ages, family-friendly bloodsucker flick.
“I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that,” Demange continued.
“He’s got a dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.”
Demange mentions Ali, and it’s good to know yet again that the Oscar-winning actor is sticking around. There have been recent reports that Ali nearly left because of a script that reduced his role. But things have gotten back on track with Logan writer Michael Green and the aim is now to produce Blade for under $100M to arrive in theaters February 2025.
