Aaron Pierre Joins Mahershala Ali in Marvel’s ‘Blade’
Delroy Lindo is also already aboard the movie.
Aaron Pierre in Amazon Prime Video's 'The Underground Railroad.'
Though Marvel Studios and Disney are – as expected - keeping most of the details locked in a coffin somewhere, we are at least starting to learn about who will be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ‘Blade’ movie alongside star Mahershala Ali. The latest addition is Aaron Pierre.
‘Blade’, which was announced as a surprise at the tail end of Marvel’s 2019 panel at the San Diego Comic-Con represents the MCU bringing the half-human, half-vampire warrior into its fold. Ali has, though, already popped up for a vocal cameo during one of ‘Eternals’ end credits sequences.
Blade, created for Marvel Comics by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, first appeared as a supporting character in ‘The Tomb of Dracula #10’, published July 1973. He was popular enough to merit his own solo storylines and was particularly memorable during the 1990s.
Originally crafted as a human who was immune to vampire bites, he was later changed to Eric Cross Brooks, whose mother is murdered by the bloodsucker Deacon Frost as she gives birth. The attack passes on vampire enzymes to her child, who becomes a Dhampir – a mix of both human and vampire.
Gifted with speed, strength, and the ability to walk in the daylight (hence his other name, the Daywalker), his mission is to hunt down and destroy vampires. In his time, he’s crossed paths with many notable Marvel characters in the comics, including Spider-Man and the Avengers. He’s also battled living vampire 'Morbius,' who has his own movie due from Sony on April 1, starring Jared Leto.
Marvel Studios' 'Blade.'
Yet 'Blade' is probably most famous for the trilogy of movies released by New Line in 1998, 2002 and 2004, starring Wesley Snipes as the gruff, sword-swinging character. While ‘Blade II’, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is regarded as the best of the three, the original does boast this endlessly quotable line. Snipes has become identified with the character, and even cameoed as him via Skype in an episode of vampire comedy series ‘What We Do in the Shadows’.
While some fans had campaigned for Snipes to stay on in the role, Marvel Studios has traditionally gone in a new route with its casting for characters played by other actors. Though given the multiverse use in recent Marvel movies, there’s always the chance he could be back in the future.
With two-time Oscar winner Ali as Blade, we also know that Delroy Lindo has a role in the new movie, though his character is still a secret for now. Likewise, Pierre, whose casting was reported by Deadline, is a mystery.
The actor is probably best known to date for playing rapper (and worried beachgoer) Mid-Size Sedan in M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Old’ but has also worked on TV series including ‘Krypton’ and ‘The Underground Railroad’ created by writer/director Barry Jenkins. Pierre will reunite with the filmmaker to voice a young Mustafa in the ‘Lion King’ prequel movie. He’s also part of the cast for Garth Davies’ sci-fi movie ‘Foe’.
‘Blade’, which has ‘Mogul Mowgli’ director Bassam Tariq preparing to call the shots and ‘Watchmen’ TV veteran Stacy Osei-Kuffour writing the script, has yet to reveal a release date, though it may well emerge next year.
