Skip to main content

Marvel Studios' 'Blade' coming to Cleveland


Marvel Studios Blade is about to take a bite out of Cleveland.

Featuring Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali in the title role, the film will be the fourth Marvel project and third Marvel Studios movie to shoot in Cleveland. Ali previously played Cottonmouth Stokes in Marvel's Luke Cage Netflix series.

Previous films include Sony's Spider-Man 3, Marvel Studios' The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Marvel almost shot exteriors for Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness in Cleveland, but changed plans when the coronavirus pandemic struck.

While Marvel has made no official announcement about the film’s Cleveland connection, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission announced via an Aug. 18 newsletter that the film Perfect Imprints was accepting applications for local crew, providing an @mcustudios.com email contact. Perfect Imprints is Blade’s alleged working title, first reported in April.

The GCFC couldn’t comment on whether Perfect Imprints was, indeed, Blade, but did encourage local filmmakers to apply. Filming will take place this fall, according to the newsletter.

Who is Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?


The short version? Blade is half-human, half-vampire and has dedicated his nearly eternal life to hunting bloodsuckers. 

Born in 1929 as Eric Cross Brooks, Blade's mother was killed during childbirth by a vampire posing as a doctor. As a blessing (or a curse), Brooks was born with certain vampiric traits, most notably an immunity to vampire bites, superhuman strength and senses, a healing factor and a dramatically slowed aging process. 

Blade becomes a vampire hunter because of his mother's murder. His nickname derives from his status as a master swordsman and the two katana blades he often wields. Blade's rogues gallery includes Dracula, his big bad and chief rival. 

Will Wesley Snipes be in the new Blade?


Wesley Snipes portrayed Blade in a trilogy of films that first debuted in 1998. The films were produced by Marvel Enterprises, a predecessor to Marvel Studios, and released by New Line Cinemas. 

Rumors suggest Snipes could have a cameo in the film, though nothing is confirmed. The previous trilogy is not considered canonical to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though Marvel's recent embrace of the Multiverse means we could potentially see Snipes as a Blade variant someday.

Snipes will join the MCU in the near future, however. He is listed as a voice actor in the Disney+ animated series Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. 


Labels:

Comments

James_B said…
Alright, Cleveland! Let's do the MCU proud again!
August 30, 2022 at 2:09 PM
Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Aaron Schoonover and Nic Neary return to Wadsworth to shoot 'Meteor Anne' this summer

Filmmakers and friends, Aaron Schoonover and Nic Neary >>> What happens when an ordinary life collides with something extraordinary? Ohio filmmaker Aaron Schoonover brings that question to life this summer as he begins production on Meteor Anne in Wadsworth, Ohio , alongside producer, friend and fellow Wadsworth High School alum, Nic Neary. Inspired by true events, Meteor Anne tells the story of a woman struck by a meteorite — the first person in recorded history, in fact — whose life goes viral once the news hits the 24-hour cycle. At first, Anne avoids the spotlight. But as her husband encourages her to embrace her newfound fame, she’s swept up in interviews, public appearances, and even meets her celebrity crush at a live TV taping. When her 15 minutes end as quickly as they began, Anne struggles to return to normal life. The project was one of 14 projects recently awarded support from Ohio’s Motion Picture Tax Credit Program . We caught up with Schoonover and Neary to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mike Judge's 'Automated Trucking' one of several films awarded tax credits for 2025

Mike Judge and Alec Berg, creators of 'Automated Trucking' >>> Automated Trucking , a new comedy feature from Mike Judge, creator of Office Space , Beavis and Butthead , and King of the Hill , will shoot in Ohio this year - but where in Ohio is the real question. Automated Trucking was one of 14 projects awarded more than $26 million of $33 million in tax credits from the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Program (OMPTC) aimed at boosting production and infrastructure across the state.  The newly launched Ohio Film & Theater Capital Improvements Tax Credit Program (OFATCI) will provide more than $7.3 million to support capital improvements for film and theater production. "Our film tax credits bring producers and stars to Ohio, and they create opportunities for the local businesses, skilled trades, and creatives already here," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. "The expansion of film in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catching up with Erik Bork and 'The Elephant in the Room'

Sean Kleier and Alyssa Limperis play political opposites in love Since our last conversation with Dayton native Erik Bork , the Emmy-winning writer has embraced new creative ventures, including directing his debut feature film, Elephant in the Room .  The “red-blue rom-com,” as Bork calls it, delves into political polarization through the intertwined lives of three unexpected companions. And with the 2024 election looming large, what better time for a film like Elephant in the Room ? Set in December 2020, the story follows a progressive Los Angeles woman who meets a Trump supporter and unexpected sparks fly.  In the aftermath of their meet-cute, however, she questions whether they can overlook their political differences to build something more. “The film is less about political debate and more about flawed yet relatable characters who explore their differences while trying to figure out their lives and relationships in a heartfelt, humorous way,” explains Bork. Alyssa Limperi...
Post a Comment
Read more