As Blade reaches its 25th anniversary milestone, it’s being hailed as a cinematic trailblazer that paved the way for iconic films like The Matrix, thanks to its groundbreaking opening sequence. Released in 1998, Blade, Marvel Enterprises’ inaugural film, burst onto the screen with Wesley Snipes embodying the titular character, making a memorable entrance into a vampire club.
The film’s style and visionary inspiration have earned it retrospective acclaim, often surpassing the credit it originally received. Blade’s gothic aesthetic is reminiscent of the attire worn by Neo and his companions in The Matrix, which hit theaters the following year. Serving as Marvel’s first foray into feature films, director Stephen Norrington’s thriller set the stage for the subsequent successful transitions of comic book stories to the big screen.
Empire Magazine aptly pointed out that Blade appears “a couple of decades ahead of its contemporaries,” anticipating not only the techno-goth aesthetics and cyber-paranoia of The Matrix but also the blockbuster phenomenon that Marvel would become. Twitter users echoed this sentiment, focusing their praise on the film’s unforgettable opening sequence. One tweet asserted, “The opening sequence for Blade has never been matched,” while another hailed it as “one of the best character introductions of all-time.”
Amidst the nostalgic celebration, attention is also turning toward the upcoming Blade reboot, set to be executed by Marvel in the next couple of years. Anticipation is palpable, though some remain skeptical about surpassing the original. One comment reflected, “I can’t wait for the new Blade, but honestly think the originals can’t be beat.”
The reboot will mark the franchise’s fourth installment, following the 2002 and 2004 sequels. However, the project encountered a delay due to a change in director, as Bassam Tariq stepped away from the action-horror film. Originally slated for a November 2023 release, the new expected launch date is September 6, 2024.
Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali has been officially announced as Snipes’ successor in the lead role, creating high expectations for his performance. Additionally, stars Mia Goth and Aaron Pierre, recognized for their roles in Pearl and The Underground Railroad respectively, have been confirmed for the film’s cast, adding to the excitement surrounding this highly anticipated reboot.
Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
