Let’s all conform to hold our fangs checked and behind closed lips all through the length of this story, regardless of how a lot we’d wish to go right into a rage. Yet one more Blade-related replace has surfaced throughout the MCU, and whereas it isn’t an extra nail within the coffin of Mahershala Ali’s standalone Blade film, it’s a one other massive blow to followers desperately ready for Marvel to truly give the proficient actor one thing to do.
Within the aftermath of Marvel rumors pointing to a scarcity of urgency concerning the daywalker’s lengthy street to reboot, the one strand of hope some followers remained connected to surrounded Ali doubtlessly voicing Blade for the upcoming MCU TV present Marvel Zombies, which can be out there to stream in October through Disney+ subscription. Sadly, that gained’t be the case in any respect.
In accordance with ComicBook.com, the upcoming R-rated MCU sequence will function an iteration of the dhampir, with voice-acting duties delivered by The Chicago Code and Good Conduct vet Todd Williams.
Williams can be offering his skills to play Blade Knight. No not the Kirby character, however a What If…? interpretation that mashes up Eric Brooks with Moon Knight Marc Spector. Williams will, maybe unsurprisingly, even be the voice of Spector and MK.
Given this replace wasn’t shared with any direct relation to Mahershala Ali, it is unclear precisely why we’re getting one more on-screen Blade that will not function the actor forged to play him. (With the opposite one being Wesley Snipes’ reprised character in Deadpool and Wolverine.) Given what number of live-action MCU actors do lend their voices to animated initiatives, there’s all the time a minimal quantity of curiosity anytime a hero or villain is recast. The identical undoubtedly goes right here, contemplating the one time Ali and Blade really dovetailed was within the Eternals post-credits scene.
Curiously sufficient, and likewise not linked, Todd Williams supplies the voice for the Invincible character Titan in Season 2, having changed the actor who starred in Season 1. That actor? Mahershala Ali.
The OG Blade screenwriter David Goyer shared his personal confusion about Snipes reprising the daywalker for D&W, and shared that he is requested Marvel if they need his assist in scripting Blade’s official MCU debut, however to no avail. Perhaps after this animated model dies, THAT’S when Ali’s model can formally stand up. Or, you recognize, not.
Marvel Zombies is about to debut all 4 episodes on Disney+ beginning on September 24, 2025.