Blade (franchise)

Films

''Blade'' (1998)

Main article: Blade (1998 film)

Blade grows up to become a vampire hunter, swearing vengeance on the creatures that killed his mother. He teams up with a man called Whistler, a retired vampire hunter and weapons expert.

Meanwhile, in the urban underworld, a feud is started between "pure-blood" vampires and those who had been human, but were "turned". Blade becomes aware of this and investigates further, uncovering a plot to raise the blood god La Magra, something he must stop at all costs.

''Blade II'' (2002)

Main article: Blade II

A rare mutation has occurred within the vampire community. "Reapers" are vampires so consumed with an insatiable bloodlust that they prey on vampires as well as humans, transforming victims who are unlucky enough to survive into Reapers themselves. Now their quickly expanding population threatens the existence of vampires, and soon there won't be enough humans in the world to satisfy their bloodlust. Blade, Whistler and an armory expert named Scud are curiously summoned by the Shadow Council. The council reluctantly admits that they are in a dire situation and they require Blade's assistance. Blade then tenuously enters into an alliance with The Bloodpack, an elite team of vampires who were trained in all modes of combat to defeat Blade. They'll use their skills instead to help wipe out the Reaper threat. Blade's team and the Bloodpack are the only line of defense which can prevent the Reaper population from wiping out the vampire and human populations.

''Blade: Trinity'' (2004)

Main article: Blade: Trinity

In the final installment of the series, the vampires succeed in framing Blade for the killing of a human (who was in fact a familiar being used as bait). Blade, now in the public's eye and wanted by the FBI, is forced to join forces with the Nightstalkers, a human clan of vampire hunters. Blade, Hannibal King, and Abigail Whistler go after Danica Talos, who has succeeded in locating and resurrecting Drake, also known as Dracula, the first vampire and by far the most powerful. In order to stop him, Blade has to release a virus that will wipe out all vampires, but being a dhampir, he must face the possibility of also dying as a result.

Cancelled projects

In October 2008, Blade director Stephen Norrington was confirmed to be developing a prequel trilogy to Blade, featuring Stephen Dorff reprising his role as Deacon Frost. However, by August 2012, the film rights to Blade had reverted to Marvel Studios.

In October 2016, star of the Underworld film series Kate Beckinsale stated that a crossover film between the franchises had been discussed as a sequel to Blade: Trinity with Snipes returning, but was declined because Marvel Studios had plans to introduce the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Television

''Blade: The Series'' (2006)

Main article: Blade: The Series

In 2006, Spike TV aired a thirteen-episode series set after the events of Blade: Trinity, with Sticky Fingaz portraying Blade, replacing Snipes. Goyer (who wrote the scripts for all three of the films and directed the third film) also created the series.

Cast and crew

Cast

Crew

Reception

Box office performance

Critical and public response

Music

Soundtracks

Video games

• Blade – based on Blade, released in 2000.
• Blade II – based on Blade II, released in 2002.
• Blade Trinity - based on Blade III, released in 2004 exclusively for mobile phones.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

In May 2013, Marvel had a working script for a new Blade film. Snipes said in July 2015 that he hoped to reprise the role in any future film and had discussed this with Marvel. In 2019, Marvel Studios announced a Blade reboot set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with Mahershala Ali being cast as the title character. It was scheduled to be released on November 7, 2025. In October 2024, Disney removed the film from its release schedule.

Snipes reprised his role as the character in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine.

References

References

1. "Blade Franchise Box Office History - The Numbers".
2. (7 July 2009). "Norrington, Dorff Teaming on Blade Spin-Off".
3. (2009-07-08). "'BLADE' Spinoff In Development: Will Feature STEPHEN DORFF Reprising DEACON FROST Role". Dietrichthrall.wordpress.com.
4. Kit, Borys. (August 14, 2012). "Fox's Daredevil Rights on Verge of Reverting to Marvel as Ticking Clock Looms (Video)".
5. Jayson, Jay. (October 7, 2016). "Marvel Is Doing Something With Blade According To Kate Beckinsale". ComicBook.com.
6. "Blade (1998)". Box Office Mojo, LLC.
7. "Blade Production Budget". The-Numbers.
8. "Blade II (2002)". Box Office Mojo, LLC.
9. "Blade: Trinity (2004)". Box Office Mojo, LLC.
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16. "Blade: Trinity".
17. "Blade: The Series".
18. "Blade: The Series".
19. "Blade for PlayStation Reviews". [[CBS Interactive]].
20. "Blade II for PlayStation 2 Reviews".
21. (17 December 2004). "Blade: Trinity Review".
22. (May 7, 2013). "Marvel Cliffhanger: Robert Downey Jr.'s $50 Million Sequel Showdown". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
23. (July 10, 2015). "The Player: Wesley Snipes, Philip Winchester Interview – Comic-Con 2015". YouTube.
24. (July 10, 2015). "Snipes "In Talks" With Marvel About Blade Reboot – IGN News". YouTube.
25. Patten, Dominic. (July 9, 2015). "Comic-Con: Wesley Snipes On 'Blade' Marvel Talks, 'The Player' & Spike Lee".
26. Galuppo, Mia. (July 20, 2019). "Mahershala Ali to Star in 'Blade' Reboot for Marvel".
27. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (November 9, 2023). "Marvel's 'Deadpool 3' Moves To July 2024 & 'Captain America: Brave New World' To 2025 As Disney Shakes Up Schedule Due To Actors Strike".
28. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (October 22, 2024). "Marvel Studios' 'Blade' Removed From 2025 Release Schedule, Disney Dates 'Predator: Badlands' Instead".
29. (4 August 2024). "Wesley Snipes Breaks Two Guinness World Records After Blade Return in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’".