Blade star Wesley Snipes wants fans to "chillaaxx" about the surprise San Diego Comic-Con news that Mahershala Ali will star in a new version of the story instead of Snipes himself returning to the role.
In a statement obtained by CNET sister site ComicBook.com, Snipes welcomed Ali to the part and urged fans to accept the new take on the film.
"To all the DAYWALKERS losing their minds right now, chillaaxx," Snipes said. "Although the news comes as a surprise, it's ALL GOOD. Such is the 'business' of 'entertainment!' Much peace to the MCU crew -- always a fan."
He went on to praise Ali, the Academy Award-winning star of Moonlight and Green Book, calling him "a beautiful and talented artist whose expressions I look forward to experiencing for many years to come."
The news was announced at Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday, with few details other than Ali's casting. Snipes played the role of the superhero vampire hunter in three films released between 1998 and 2004, and had expressed interest in returning.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ BLADE with Mahershala Ali. pic.twitter.com/mtrDBy5OV0
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 21, 2019
Fans might be a bit soothed by rumors that Snipes will land a cameo or other role in the new film.
"Let's start the movement right here, right now, for MarvelStudios to cast wesleysnipes as Whistler in the reboot of #BladeMCU," wrote one Twitter user. (Abraham Whistler is Blade's mentor.)
Let's start the movement right here, right now, for @MarvelStudios to cast @wesleysnipes as Whistler in the reboot of #BladeMCU.
— HenryHigginsIII (@dravencage) July 21, 2019
The entire current run of comic-book movies owes everything to the 1st Blade movie, so a little honouring of the legacy he left isn't too much to ask. pic.twitter.com/alPwqPIplY
There's no date yet for the new Blade, though according to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, it will come out in Phase 5, not Phase 4, of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 4 covers movies coming out in 2020 and 2021, so it'll be a bit of a wait for Blade.
