Legendary original ‘Blade’ actor Wesley Snipes says the upcoming reboot of the character doesn’t need to be R-rated to be a hit.
By Justina Terhember
Wesley Snipes does not think that Marvel Studios’ upcoming reboot of the character needs to be R-rated. Having starred in three movies as the titular vampire hunter in New Line Cinema’s ‘Blade’ trilogy, he in an interview with ComicBook.com gave his thoughts on why the upcoming film can be good regardless of its rating. “I think those kinds of stories lend themselves to a wide range of dialogue and situations. Both adult and young adult,” he said.
“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].”
Directed by Stephen Norrington, the 1998 film starred Snipes as Eric Brooks, a “daywalker” who has dedicated his life to hunting evil vampires. Although the film received a mixed reception from critics, ‘Blade’ has developed a devoted fanbase who grew to love Snipes’ version of the Marvel character.
Even Mahershala Ali, who will portray the MCU’s version of Blade, has admitted that Snipes will be a tough act to follow. “What I look forward to is earning it,” Ali said back in November. “I look forward to earning… You know, there’s an anticipation for it, there’s an excitement for it that he owns — that Mr. Snipes owns, you know? And so, in filling his shoes… I’m just working to earn my place in this… I’m just excited to get going and do the work.”
Unlike the original trilogy’s movies, which were all R-rated, the Marvel Studios film is set to be PG-13. Since the franchise began with 2008’s ‘Iron Man’, every film in the MCU has been given a PG-13 rating in the United States, making the lack of an R-rating for Ali’s film frustrating to many fans.
Marvel Studios hasn’t announced a release date for the ‘Blade’ reboot yet.
