Warning! This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
Wesley Snipes reprised his role as Blade inDeadpool & Wolverine, and it did not take much time for Ryan Reynolds to encourage his return. Snipes first played the vampire hunter in 1998, and he went on to return to the role forBlade II(2002) andBlade: Trinity(2004). The Marvel Cinematic Universe intends to revive the character forthe upcomingBlademovie, but the character’s initial return came when Deadpool discovered the Wesley Snipes variant in the Void.
It took Blade little prompting to stand beside Deadpool, and Snipes did not need much of a stronger push. In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, Snipes explained that he receivedan impromptu call from Ryan Reynoldsabout returning as a Blade variant.Snipes did not expect the call20 years after concluding his time as Blade, but he readily agreed to join the cast after hearing Reynolds' plan.
I did not think it was possible. I didn’t think we would be able to pull it off. I didn’t think that Marvel was into it, Disney was into it — also because they had Mahershala cast for the next upcoming version of it. I thought it didn’t make sense to me, but [when] you get a call from Ryan Reynolds out of the blue after 20 years, you go, ‘Okay, I got to take this call. Let’s see what this is about’. He told me the idea… They said ‘yes’ and ‘it’s a go.’ ‘If you’re in, we’re in.’ Here we are.
Wesley Snipes Talks In Depth About His Blade Return & Getting Superhero Ready Again
Snipes Offers His Support For Mahershala Ali As Blade
In his interview, Snipes offered an in-depth look at his training process after agreeing to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because he was not ready to play Blade, he prepared his body for an action scene that he knew nothing about. He admits that he “didn’t have to do as much as I thought”, but he still needed additional support from a costume insulated by foam to help perfect his appearance. Afterapproximately a month of training, he felt that he was in perfect shape and prepared to return.
WhileDeadpool & Wolverinebegan production during the summer, the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes delayed progress until the winter. When Snipes returned to take up his role, “it was so very cold”, whichmade shooting “very, very tough"on the 61-year-old actor. The initial movies were not entirely suited to Snipes' preferences either. He admitted that the originalBladewas “not really my humor” and enjoyed theDeadpooltake on the character more. Snipes explained that “It was enjoyable to work with” Ryan Reynolds and just as enjoyable to return to his role.
The Cast Of Deadpool 3 Explained: Every Actor & Character In Deadpool & Wolverine
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman join the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine, which boasts an impressive cast supporting the two Marvel leads.
Rather than solely focusing onDeadpool & Wolverine, Snipes also spoke aboutBlade’s painfully slow development, arguing that it is “not the actor’s fault” and repeatedly emphasizing that Ali has “got all my blessings and support”. Snipes admits that he has not spoken with Ali about the production problems, but he believes that Ali is “a beautiful and talented artist” who is perfect for the role. Though Snipes' Blade variant claimed that he is the only Blade, Snipes has offered nothing but support for Mahershala Ali and the upcomingBladereboot.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Cast
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
