The Legacy of Blade 2

[Lantern Venom]

It's been 10 years since the Daywalker returned to the big screen and sliced and diced a new breed of bloodsuckers. Until two nights ago, when I was blown away by the Avengers, Blade 2 remained my favorite Marvel film. Though I'm aware it's not everyone's cup of tea, I'm convinced that the effects of the Blade franchise are still being felt by comic book adaptations today.

For those of you who may have forgotten (or are too young to remember), there was a time when an influx of big budget comic book films, especially based on the Marvel Universe, was unthinkable. In the mid 90s, fans were still waiting to see if a studio would take a chance on a hero other than DC's Superman or Batman. 15 years ago, Marvel's biggest live-action success had been the Incredible Hulk TV series. Then we finally got the news that Marvel was coming to the big screen. Shockingly, it wasn't going to be one of the heavyweights like Spiderman, Wolverine, or The Hulk. It was going to be the little-known vampire hunter, originally from the Tomb of Dracula.

At the time I thought, "Wait. What?"

Blade became a commercial success both domestically and internationally. It also didn't get completely trashed by the critics as comic book adaptations often did. Even more unbelievably, rumors of a sequel began to circulate almost immediately.

In 2002, Blade 2 proved that a marginal comic book character, in the right hands, could not only be successful once, but launch an entire franchise. That was certainly a good omen not only for the landmark Marvel characters, but also characters such as Ghost Rider, Daredevil, and Iron Man, each of whom had had very little exposure to the general population 10 years ago.

Blade 2 did something something that it's big screen predecessors (The original Batman/Superman series) hadn't even attempted. It wasn't kid-friendly at all. Unlike most well-known heroes, the Daywalker didn't concern himself with bringing bad guys to justice. He was an tunnel-visioned anti-hero who cut down his enemies with ruthless, unapologetic precision. Where Spawn failed ( a dark hero in a horror setting), Blade succeeded.

Although the first Spiderman and X-Men flicks get the most recognition for starting the current comic book movie craze (and rightly so), let's not forget that the Daywalker helped carve out part of Marvel's lofty spot at the box office, which shows no signs of slowing down.

 

[Captain Marvel]

I consider Blade to be the start of the current comic movie trend, myself. My brother and I went to see it in the theatres and were blown away. Awesome movie. Blade II was fantastic as well. That's why I'm of two minds on the subject of a Blade reboot now that Marvel has the license. On the one hand, I'd LOVE to see another Blade movie. On the other hand, what I REALLY want to see is another Wesley Snipes Blade movie, and that's something that's definitely not going to happen.

The thing about those movies is that they pretty much created Blade from scratch. He was such an ill-defined character before. Ok, he's a black guy whose mom was bit by a vampire as he was being born, which gave him the ability to sense vampires. He runs around with stakes and a katana and kills vampires. The movies, however, did an incredible job of defining his character, starting with the whole Daywalker idea. They took a regular human and instead made him into a superhuman and someone who vampires have a genuine cause to fear. They created Whistler, which is a great relationship. They created all the various gadgets that Blade uses, instead of just having him run around with stuff that you'd expect Abraham Van Helsing to be using. I particularly like his sword, too. Instead of just saying "Oh, give him a katana", they gave him an original sword design. The trap he set on the hilt was pretty neat, too.

They also created an original look for Blade. One which I consider to be just as iconic as the classic Superman or Spider-Man costumes. From the hair, to the tattoos, to the wardrobe, it all comes together incredibly well. The Blade they created is fantastic, and I hope that's the Blade they move forward with if and when they make a new film series.

 

[metaphysician]

IMO, a better move than bringing Blade into the MCU alone, would be to actually create a proper Nightstalkers, with Blade as a coequal member of a team of monster hunters.

 

[Nelson/Murdock]

I love Blade 1 and 2. Great movies, and I too consider Blade to be the first in the current run of superhero cinema. They may not have known it at the time, and there were certainly bigger hits to come, but they sure started something big.

 

[Captain Marvel]

IMO, a better move than bringing Blade into the MCU alone, would be to actually create a proper Nightstalkers, with Blade as a coequal member of a team of monster hunters.

The Nightstalkers would be fine, but Blade should definitely be the leader and not just another member.

 

[Lantern Venom]

The thing about those movies is that they pretty much created Blade from scratch. He was such an ill-defined character before. Ok, he's a black guy whose mom was bit by a vampire as he was being born, which gave him the ability to sense vampires. He runs around with stakes and a katana and kills vampires. The movies, however, did an incredible job of defining his character, starting with the whole Daywalker idea. They took a regular human and instead made him into a superhuman and someone who vampires have a genuine cause to fear. They created Whistler, which is a great relationship. They created all the various gadgets that Blade uses, instead of just having him run around with stuff that you'd expect Abraham Van Helsing to be using. I particularly like his sword, too. Instead of just saying "Oh, give him a katana", they gave him an original sword design. The trap he set on the hilt was pretty neat, too.

They also created an original look for Blade. One which I consider to be just as iconic as the classic Superman or Spider-Man costumes. From the hair, to the tattoos, to the wardrobe, it all comes together incredibly well. The Blade they created is fantastic, and I hope that's the Blade they move forward with if and when they make a new film series.

Yes, that was a good move. I noticed that when Blade first showed up in Marvel Legends, his figure was based on the movie look, not the comics. Although I like his comic mythos, I don't think a lime green jacket, yellow sunglasses, etc..would have worked on screen.

Marvel was lucky to have guys like Goyer pushing a clear vision of the character. I've read interviews with him where he stated that when shopping the idea, several studios asked if he could cast a white actor as Blade and if the movie could be campy. The fact that we got Snipes, an actor with a plethora of martial art skills, and a serious tone was essential in the movie's lasting appeal.

 

[Captain Marvel]

several studios asked if he could cast a white actor as Blade and if the movie could be campy

...are you serious?

Ah, studio executives, why are you all so universally ******ed?

 

[Brian Braddock]

The 1st Blade is where it's at for me, but 2 still has a special place in my heart. Trinity, however, was ****ing awful and did some damage.

The previous Nightstalkers call was interesting to me - if you could get Blade and add Hannibal King from Trinity [after all, he was literally the only worthwhile thing in that farce] than that would be interesting. Factor in Ghost Rider [who echoes the cinematic Hulk in many ways - an awesome character with two previous sub-par solo movie under his belt who has become the best aspect of a recent ensemble movie] and Werewolf by Night??

Now that has the potential to be briiliant.

 

[metaphysician]

I wouldn't necessarily go that far. Stick with Blade, Hannibal King, and Frank Drake ( who I'd rework a bit; better science skills, less emphasis on a singular big magic gun ). The only weakness would be that its a sausage fest.

Now, you could always use the rest for a Midnight Sons crossover goal, an Avengers for the mystic world.

 

[Captain Marvel]

A Midnight Sons film is something I'd definitely like to see. Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider, Blade, Morbius, Werewolf-By-Night, etc? That would be amazing.

And yeah, it's a total sausage fest. :P But for the life of me I can't think of any major female supernatural heroes other than Victoria Montessi, and she's hardly what anyone would describe as major.

 

[Marvin]

what's this about marvel owning the rights again?
when and how did this happen?

 

[Captain Marvel]

what's this about marvel owning the rights again?
when and how did this happen?

It's been the case for a while, apparently, just as Marvel now also owns the rights for the Punisher.

Now if only they'd get back the rights to Ghost Rider and the Fantastic Four...

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

A Midnight Sons film is something I'd definitely like to see. Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider, Blade, Morbius, Werewolf-By-Night, etc? That would be amazing.

And yeah, it's a total sausage fest. :P But for the life of me I can't think of any major female supernatural heroes other than Victoria Montessi, and she's hardly what anyone would describe as major.

Seer, Caretaker's friend and a member of the Blood could be used. Or Jennifer Kale, and/or one of Dr. Strange's female disciples.

 

[Cain]

Blade II still rocks my socks to this day. Even though I liked the original more.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

The 1st Blade is where it's at for me, but 2 still has a special place in my heart. Trinity, however, was ****ing awful and did some damage.

The previous Nightstalkers call was interesting to me - if you could get Blade and add Hannibal King from Trinity [after all, he was literally the only worthwhile thing in that farce] than that would be interesting. Factor in Ghost Rider [who echoes the cinematic Hulk in many ways - an awesome character with two previous sub-par solo movie under his belt who has become the best aspect of a recent ensemble movie] and Werewolf by Night??

Now that has the potential to be briiliant.

Agreed, thinking about that concept...I would also love to see Morbius and the Darkhold redeemers. After all, the Darkhold is the source of all vampirism, and lycanthropy in the Marvel U.

 

[metaphysician]

Seer, Caretaker's friend and a member of the Blood could be used. Or Jennifer Kale, and/or one of Dr. Strange's female disciples.

There's also Topaz, IIRC.