Marvel Is Forgetting the Most Important Thing About Blade

Marvel Studios is racing ahead with a range of new characters debuting on the big and small screen. The last few phases have been all about experimenting with the source material and finding ways to adapt figures who could usher in a new era. Among them is Blade, who has already been teased in the post-credit sequence of Eternals. While it was only his voice that made a brief cameo, the assumption from that scene was that Blade would be involved in the origin story of Black Knight and thus brought into the shadowy side of the MCU.

Alas, that plot point appears to have been dropped for now, and news on the Blade adaptation has been stop-start. The development process seems to have been a complex one, and considering the movie was announced at San Diego Comic Con 2019, with Mahershala Ali as the lead actor, fans would have hoped to have seen more from the project this far on. One of the key sticking points is when the movie should be set, but Marvel Studios might be complicating everything. The House of Mouse has to remember a key component of the story they are developing, to really get this adaptation right. That Blade, first and foremost, is a horror franchise.

Blade Is Currently Aiming For a Modern Interpretation

Blade debuted in The Tomb of Dracula #10 (July 1973), written by Marv Wolfman with art from Gene Colan.

Fans are always looking for exciting updates concerning the Blade script and the direction it’s going in. The movie has been in development for some time, as new creatives come on board, and the lead star himself guides the writing process. It’s obvious to Marvel Studios that this is a property they have to get right, and thus, the studio is right to take its time. Fans have such fond memories of the original Blade live-action series, and the comics have heralded the Daywalker as a mainstay with real value. Blade is one of those undeniable characters that brings so much rich lore to tap into concerning the vampiric history of the Marvel Universe. Most of Blade’s stories on the page are set in the present-day Marvel landscape so that he can interact with other significant characters. Indeed, as a leading member of the Midnight Suns, Blade has really benefitted from that ensemble dynamic, and audiences would hope to see more of that in the MCU.

Because of that potential, Blade has been consistently delayed to curate the right story from the ground up. One of the areas that is in flux based on those reports is the time period in which the movie is set. The film was initially conceived as a period piece set in the MCU’s past. It was never completely confirmed when the vampire hunter would be starting his mission, but vampire mythology is particularly prevalent in periods such as the Victorian era. What’s more, a period piece could have tapped into the gothic elements of the character, perhaps drawing from classic genre literature. Blade was also supposed to be set in Atlanta, with the MCU adapting an American iteration of the character. There are certainly strengths for this concept, but now Marvel is going in a different, equally promising direction. Modern-day London has become the script’s current place of choice. That means that Marvel will be linking more to Blade’s British origins, and with England’s gothic past, there’s a gorgeous amount of horror elements to infuse with the location. The project has the opportunity to do something really different and carve out a genre space for itself in the dark side of the MCU.

Marvel Can Finally Make Its First True Horror Picture

Werewolf by Night Was a Tease of What’s to Come

The Comics Code Authority revised its rules in 1971, allowing new horror monsters to emerge.

The setting and time period might be a point of contention, but it’s not the most important part of Blade. The fact is, Marvel has to look towards its darker side to do justice to the character. Thus far, the MCU has largely shied away from horror characters. The comics are brimming with incredible narratives that dive into the depths of hell, utilize demonic villains, and portray heroes with a twisted edge. In the MCU, there are only a couple of projects that actually play to the genre. But Marvel’s comic horror history is much deeper and Blade should represent that heritage. Currently, the only project that truly encompasses what Marvel horror is all about is Werewolf By Night. Characters like the titular beast, Bloodstone, and Man-Thing are all intertwined with Blade’s comic arcs and could certainly play a part in his adaptation.

Perhaps that’s why a modern version of the movie is best, as the MCU looks to set up the Midnight Suns with figures like Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night. Blade, as a character, could be leading the charge and redefining what the MCU represents. Marvel Studios needs to remember those horror roots when adapting the comic arc, and the movie has to choose the right time period and setting for those beats to be the most effective. Werewolf by Night has beautifully set the stage to thematically continue forward, with vampires and vampire hunters heavily teased. The mythology that was built in just a few short scenes truly highlights the potential of the Blade project and how Marvel could approach the material. The strong reception to Werewolf by Night should also fill Marvel with confidence that fans will react to this style of gothic storytelling with real enthusiasm and passion. Whether there’s a direct connection between the horror characters in the MCU and Blade or not doesn’t really matter as long as that special atmosphere is recreated.

Gothic Horror Works In Every Era

Bloodline debuted in Free Comic Book Day 2022: Avengers/X-Men #1 (May 2022), written by Gerry Duggan, Kieron Gillen, & Danny Lore with art from Matteo Lolli, Dustin Weaver & Karen Darboe.

Currently, rumors are circling as to what the new plot of the movie will revolve around. Early suggestions indicate that the demonic Lilith will be the villain of the piece and that she will be hunting Blade’s estranged daughter, Bloodline, whom the vampire assassin has recently teamed up with in the comics. From a narrative perspective, there’s already a lot of tension in that premise, with the father and daughter dynamic surely becoming the much-needed heart of the piece. While the movie may live or die by this bond, it’s also important to note that this is not a concept that is predetermined by era or setting. Indeed, once again, it’s the horror elements that are shining through, with the terrifying Lilith providing plenty of hellish imagery to really push the MCU’s gothic edge. For this to be a success, those core beats have to be capitalized on further, as vampiric history and enemies from the depths of hell conspire to unleash a new age of darkness with Bloodline’s blood.

What’s also promising about all of this is that Marvel is aiming to give the piece an R rating, meaning it will not shy away from the gory and bloody components that make horror pictures so entertaining. The movie will continue to go through its long development, and with the pre-MCU Bladealready setting the tone for audiences, it’s obvious that Marvel will have to push in a new direction to truly stand out. The time period and setting don’t matter quite as much as that gothic core and how the MCU uses its pre-existing horror mythology to help this version of Blade transition into the franchise. The most promising thing of all is Marvel Studio’s dedication to really delivering for the fans. Blade might still be a long way off, but this attention to detail is exactly what will aid Marvel in creating a horror film for a new generation. One that holds up to both the quality of the MCU and the genre itself.