'That’s a Movie Star' — Guillermo del Toro Credits Wesley Snipes for '100%' of Blade's Iconic Persona After Marvel Studios' Mahershala Ali Reboot Was Canceled

In the newest episode of our IGN30 Icons series, Blade 2 director Guillermo del Toro revealed why he believes Mahershala Ali’s Blade movie never got off the ground — and it’s not because of Kevin Feige.

First announced in 2019, Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated Blade reboot suffered numerous setbacks and was ultimately canceled. Despite training for years in multiple martial arts to the point where he literally blew out his knee, Mahershala Ali found himself so frustrated with the project that he completely washed his hands of the role and went on to use his newfound ass-kicking skills in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.

Having directed Blade 2, we asked del Toro why he thought this project fell through — and, for him, it’s all about Wesley Snipes’ unmistakable star power.

“I'm telling you — and I mean it because I know it — 50% of the ‘Blade-ness’ of Blade is Wesley Snipes. …