Summary:
- Wesley Snipes surprises fans by returning as Blade in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” thanks to a call from Ryan Reynolds.
- Despite the planned reboot with Mahershala Ali, Snipes’ cameo remained a secret until the film’s release, exciting Marvel fans.
After two decades, Wesley Snipes has returned to his iconic role as Blade in the latest Marvel film, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” much to the surprise of fans and the actor himself.
Marvel fans have eagerly awaited updates on the Blade reboot since it was announced in July 2019 that Mahershala Ali would take on the role of the Daywalker.
However, the reboot has faced numerous setbacks, with several directors coming and going, leaving the project in limbo.
This weekend, viewers of “Deadpool & Wolverine” were thrilled to see Wesley Snipes make a cameo as Blade, a nod to his past collaboration with Ryan Reynolds in 2004’s “Blade: Trinity.
Despite rumors of a longstanding feud between Snipes and Reynolds, they managed to keep the cameo a secret until the film’s release.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Snipes was initially skeptical about the cameo, especially given the announced reboot with Ali. However, a text from Ryan Reynolds changed everything.
“I want to talk to you,” Reynolds’ message read, sparking the conversation that led to Snipes’ return.
“I did not think it was possible,” Snipes admitted regarding his return after 20 years. “I didn’t think we would be able to pull it off.
I didn’t think that Marvel was into it, Disney was into it — also because they had Mahershala [Ali] cast for the next upcoming version of it…
I thought it didn’t make sense to me, but [when] you get a call from Ryan Reynolds out of the blue after 20 years, you go, ‘Okay, I got to take this call. Let’s see what this is about.’ He told me the idea…
They said ‘yes’ and ‘it’s a go.’ ‘If you’re in, we’re in.’ Here we are.”
During San Diego Comic-Con, Snipes made a triumphant appearance on stage during Marvel’s panel, with Ryan Reynolds referring to him as a “dear friend.”
This moment was particularly poignant, considering Snipes’ role in keeping Marvel’s cinematic universe viable before the advent of the modern MCU, symbolized by Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man.
With Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Dr. Doom and Wesley Snipes‘ Blade now officially canon in another universe, Marvel fans of all ages have much to celebrate.
