While Perri Nemiroff was at the Tribeca Film Festival, we learned nothing new about the MCU’s Blade revival at the D23 Expo. The interviewer and actor Aaron Pierre were able to talk about his stint in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) while promoting his role in Clement Virgo’s Brother. As fans know, the Daywalker is back. It’s Phase 5 of the Multiverse Saga, and this time Blade will be completely integrated into the rapidly growing MCU. Since production is in its infancy, we don’t know much about the film’s story just yet, but we do know that the MCU is moving into darker territory, which may or may not mean we’ll be getting more Midnight Sons action.
After making a brief appearance in Phase 4’s Eternals, it was revealed that Oscar winner Mahershala Ali will be replacing Wesley Snipes in the character of Eric Brooks/Blade. Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) and Pierre’s castings were announced in the following months. Nemiroff caught up with Pierre at TIFF to discuss his upcoming film Brother before he begins filming Blade in October. We were curious as to how Pierre was reacting to joining such a massive property as the MCU, given its rapid expansion from Disney+ miniseries to all the exciting planned projects.
Pierre had nothing but positive things to say when questioned about his unknown participation in the Blade revival. “I think for me, honestly, it’s just – I’m just tremendously grateful and just abundantly thankful to even have been considered to become part of that family,” he said. “From a very young age, I’ve always looked to, been inspired by, been excited by, and at times been empowered by the MCU, especially with movies like Black Panther and things like this.”
Those who aren’t aware of Blade should know that he is a hero who is half-human and half-vampire and has made it his life’s purpose to wipe out the vampire population. Blade dons the mantle of Daywalker, a dhampir with the super-strength of vampires who can hunt the night and day and regeneration powers, free from the curses that plague vampires, such as weaknesses to the sun and garlic. Blade made his debut in Marvel Comics in the early ’70s as a supporting character created by Marv Wolfman and initially appeared in Tomb of Dracula.
The vampire murderer became a cult favourite immediately, compelling the writers to give him his own plot. Eric Brooks’ mother was bitten by a vampire while she was pregnant, and the child was fed from her, giving him a need for blood and supernatural abilities. Blade’s obsession with killing vampires stems from his troubled past. Prior to his role in M, Pierre featured in the Amazon Prime Video dramas The Underground Railroad and Krypton. Mid-Size Sedan, by M. Night Shyamalan, Is as Outdated as It Sounds. When Disney releases Mufasa: The Lion King in 2024, he’ll play the title role. Director Bassam Tariq and screenwriter Stacy Osei-Kuffour (Watchmen) are behind the Blade remake (Mogul Mowgli). The filming of Blade, which has been in the works for some time, is set to start in October.