Summary
Marvel’s long-awaitedBlademovie finally has a director. According to Jeff Sneider’sThe InSneider,potential showrunner Cary Fukunaga was dropped from the film following speculative reports that he’s “famously” difficult.Marvel has now supposedly onboardedJohn Wickdirector Chad Stahelski, also perThe InSneider. Stahelski’s fine-tuned choreography would be interesting if applied to Blade and his sword, as the hand-to-hand combat within John Wick’s bullet hell action is among the best in American action cinema.
WhileJohn Wick 5is a hotly anticipated confirmed sequel, there’s no certainty when it will happen. Regardless,John Wickcould definitely simmer a little bit for a triumphant return in a few years if it means fans will at last get to see Blade on the silver screen once again. After all, we’ll get more of Reeves' Wick in this year’sFrom the World of John Wick: Ballerina. Blade has been in development hell for an eternity, and it’s time to strike while the Stahelski iron is still hot. Fans of both franchises would likely excuse a surplus John Wick installment for a fresh, sharp Blade film.
Blade’s Vampirically Long Development Cycle
It’s a wonder how an IP so ripe with potential can be so fraught with difficulty. Now that Stahelski’s been attached to the film, it seems in retrospect that the move was always an obvious one. ‘John Wickwith Vampires’ is a ticket that fans of both franchises would likely punch without hesitation. The reported move to Stahelski is clearly a great one, sowhy has the rest of the production been so challenging for Marvel Boss Kevin Feigeand company thus far?
In 2019,Bladewas announced, with Mahershala Ali tapped to star as the titular character. The film was initially planned to shoot in November 2022, with a release set for November 2023. Two directors exited the film before Fukunaga was speculatively attached: inGhosts of Sugar Lands' Bassam Tariq andWhite Boy Rick’s Yahn Demange.
Neither director is necessarily known for their prowess in the action-movie space, so it’s a bit confusing as to why they were involved in the first place. The most logical answer is that Marvel sought an affordable director who would take studio notes and churn out a product in line with the rest of the brand. Considering it has taken nearly six years for Marvel to realize it needed a suitable creative talent to produce a quality product, the wait could be justified with Stahelski at the helm.
With Stahelski’s apparent Midas touch, given the critical and box-office successes of every film he’s directed so far, it comes as no surprise that he’s in high demand at the moment. This may cause him to be unavailable for a little while, further delaying Blade’s production. If Marvel is smart, though—and it seems they’re getting their wits back—they’ll allow Stahelski’s schedule to clear up and take all the time he needs for it to do so. However, he could stand to move a couple of things around to make way for the type of opportunity a Blade film presents.
Stahelski is currently attached to ten upcoming films as director on IMDB,and none of those areJohn Wick 5, although he is expected to direct it. Stahelski is famously possessive over the franchise, and rightfully so, even reportedlystepping in to rescueJohn Wick: Ballerinaafter the film’s poor previewing with Lionsgate. “We didn’t just work the last 10 years to see it all go to s**t,” Stahelski said toThe Hollywood Reporter, referring to his maintenance of quality control over the series.
In the same interview, he said he would understandably return forJohn Wick 5,given there’s a compelling story to tell within it. TheJohn Wickfranchise has earned over $1 billion at the global box office, with each film earning considerably more than the last.John Wick 4(2023) earned a handsome $425 million, which is a sizable jump fromJohn Wick 3’s $327 million in 2019. It’s safe to assume the next numbered iteration of the series will bring in even more, though that prospect could possibly be jeopardized byBallerinaif the Ana de Armas-led film disappoints.
Blade Over John Wick Is A Sharp Choice
Lionsgate is surely privy to the franchise’s cash cow potential, especially after last year’s studio flops, includingThe Crow, Borderlands, andMegalopolis.They’re likely seeking a sure path to success in the near future, which would include working out aJohn Wicksequel script worthy of Stahelski’s attention.Bladewould be a great opportunity for Stahelski to branch out fromJohn Wick, even among all of his other prospective projects.
Marvel is set up to see a return to form of sorts with this year’sThunderboltsandFantastic Fourfilms, especially after the mega-hype generated byAvengers: Doomsday’s marathon cast reveal. Stahelski could jump onboard the ascending vessel at just the right time to establish himself as a Marvel renaissance man in addition to being a general action movie aficionado.
