The planned Blade reboot will reportedly feature a female hero, and Marvel Studios wants The Old Guard actress Kiki Layne to play Fallon Grey, the female Blade.
Talks about the introduction of a strong female character in the Blade reboot have gone on for quite some time. The film will also join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) roster in its next blockbuster phases.
According to We Got This Covered, Marvel wants Layne to play Blade’s daughter after she displayed her capability as an action star next to Charlize Theron in The Old Guard on Netflix. The actress is also a rising dramatic star and received critical acclaim for her performance in If Beale Street Could Talk.
Mahershala Ali is Blade
Marvel announced the Blade reboot at the Comic-Con in 2019. The studio said that Oscar winner Mahershala Ali agreed to play Eric Brooks/Blade, a human-vampire hybrid and monster hunter.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ BLADE with Mahershala Ali. pic.twitter.com/JPcrSqSerW
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
However, Marvel Studio boss Kevin Feige said that it would be a while before fans watch Ali’s take on the role. Blade is reportedly set for MCU Phase 5. The film won’t likely be in theaters until after 2023.
Before Ali, Wesley Snipes starred as Blade in the trilogy, which ran in theaters in 1998, 2002, and 2004. Fans of Snipes’ version didn’t appreciate the casting of Ali. Snipes, however, pacified angry fans said that news surprised him, but it’s “all good,” and it’s the “business of entertainment.”
“Much peace to the MCU crew – always a fan,” Snipes said. Honor and respect to the grandmaster Stan. Congratulations and Salaam to Mahershala Ali, a beautiful and talented artist whose expressions I look forward to experiencing for many years to come. Inshallah, we will someday work together.”
Layne as Eddie Murphy’s daughter
While Marvel has yet to confirm Layne’s casting as the female Blade, she will be someone else’s daughter in an iconic film. The actress will join Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in the sequel to Coming to America. She’ll play the daughter of Prince Akeem (Murphy) and Lisa.
“Oh my goodness, Meeka, she is a powerful woman!” the actress said in an interview with The Guardian. “I am therefore the rightful heir to the throne of Zamunda. Honestly, it still hasn’t hit me yet. I’m gonna have to actually see the film, and then I think it’s going to hit me like: ‘Girl, you are Eddie Murphy’s daughter!'”
Layne said that strong female roles appeal to her, and she’s ready to break that door for Black actresses, who used to be marginalized, wide open. It might not be long before Marvel Studios announces her addition to the MCU.
Image used courtesy of Late Night with Seth Meyers/YouTube