Marvel's upcoming reboot of the Blade franchise has (possibly) finally found its director ahead of its projected 2022 start of filming, and it's marking yet another step forward for diversity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the deal hasn't exactly been finalized just yet, the company seems to have found someone they're keen on for the job, and talks are currently underway. Here's hoping it goes smoother than Blade: Trinity, at the very least.
Bassam Tariq, best known for directing the 2020 Riz Ahmed film Mogul Mowgli (which is not about the kid from The Jungle Book building a business empire), is currently discussing the possibility of joining the project with Marvel. If things end on a positive note, Blade will become the latest in efforts from Marvel's Kevin Feige to increase diversity in the studio's casts as well as its behind-the-scenes roles.
The upcoming Blade film will star Mahershala Ali in the title role. Originally led by Wesley Snipes for New Line Cinema's 1998 film of the same name, as well as its 2 sequels, Blade told the story of a vampire hunter doing things vampire hunters tend to do. But unlike many other tales about similar subjects, Blade himself is a half-vampire known as a dhampir, meaning he carries the strengths of vampires but not the weaknesses. Ironically, as iconic as Snipes' take on the character has become, he was originally urged to turn down the role by his agents.
Tariq has been working as a director, producer, and screenwriter for many years, originally taking off with the 2013 documentary These Birds Walk, which he directed alongside Omar Mullick. As a Muslim born in Pakistan but currently living in the U.S., Tariq often uses his filmmaking expertise to promote diversity and exhibit elements of his heritage. Seeing as how Ali, who converted to Islam in 2000, will be taking the lead role in what will be a PG-13-rated Blade, it would certainly be enlightening to see such collaboration if Tariq does indeed end up directing.
Many will remember how the original Blade trilogy ended on a rather rocky note, emphasized by a number of cast and crew members involved finding Snipes notoriously difficult to work with. It got so bad at certain points that director David S. Goyer had to resort to various computer tricks to compensate for Snipes intentionally refusing to cooperate. This all came about due to Snipes being dissatisfied with the script and with Goyer, though some still say he went too far with his spiteful behavior on set. Apparently, Snipes still refutes these accusations.
But hopefully, that just means that audiences are more ready than ever for a fresh restart to the vampire hunter's story. A director like Tariq is bound to add plenty of nuance to the film, and Ali has proven his skill onscreen time and time again, so here's hoping this thing gets off the ground soon and Blade fans get the satisfaction they've been waiting for.
Source: Deadline