With the massive financial success of the Deadpool film franchise and Marvel’s upcoming reboot of Blade, the topic of R-rated superhero films is a passionate debate among fans. Some argue that in order to stay true to the origins of characters like Wade Wilson and Eric Cross Brooks and the source material they are based on, an R-rating is required.
Wesley Snipes first suited up as the Daywalker in Stephen Norrington’s 1998 Blade, a cult classic film and the dawn of Marvel properties gracing the big screen. Part of the reason why the film is so beloved is due to the R-rating — there are no holds barred regarding the amount of gore that is seen.
It has been 20 years since audiences last saw Blade in a movie. That will change soon as Marvel Studios announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 that the character was going to be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that Mahershala Ali would be starring as the Vampire Slayer.
While the project hasn’t gotten into production just yet, Ali has already appeared in one Marvel Studios project. At the end of Chloé Zhao’s Eternals, Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman is seen approaching a strange-looking sword that has what appears to be black organic matter emitting from the weapon as reaches out with his hand. That’s when a voice emerges, “Sure you’re ready for that, Mr. Whitman?”, the mysterious voice asks. Fans speculated for a few days that it was Ali before Zhao herself officially confirmed it. Given that we know Dane Whitman’s history as Black Knight from the comics, it’s a good bet that the sword Dane is approaching is indeed the Ebony Blade, which possesses magical properties and grants it to those who wield it. It seems likely Whitman’s character will interact with Ali’s Blade given the nature of the sword and the connection established in Eternals‘ post-credit scene.
There has been no official release date given for Marvel Studios’ Blade since it was first announced in 2019. And with the official introduction of the character into the MCU, fans are eagerly awaiting the studios’ foray into the world of vampires. The big question is: will the film receive an R-rating?
In a recent interview with Adam Barnhardt from Comicbook.com, Snipes dished his thoughts on the matter:
I think those kind of stories lend themselves to a wide range of dialogue and situations. Both adult and young adult. I don’t know, it seems like the R-rating and PG-13 base is sliding now because it seems that now the 13-year-olds can speak better words than the adults can. As long as it’s true and organic to the subject matter, the plot, and the world that’s created. If there’s consistency, I think it’s fine [to be PG-13].
Wesley Snipes
So, even Blade himself doesn’t necessarily think an R-rating is required in order for the portrayal to be successful.
What about you, do you think that the MCU’s Blade has to be rated R? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Comicbook.com
