It was recently announced that Mahershala Ali would be replacing Wesley Snipes in the new installment of “Blade.”
Snipes has been nothing but encouraging towards Ali, even sharing a tweet saying, “He will do great.”
He will do great ?? https://t.co/11PeFroKUY
— WS (@wesleysnipes) November 11, 2021
In a recent interview about his latest project, “True Story” featuring Kevin Hart, Snipes spoke more about the recasting of “Blade” and said he had even spoken to Ali and had no negative feelings about it.
“We’ve spoke — we shared that the issue of him being cast wasn’t between us, that’s business,” he said. “I’m cool with it. I don’t walk around as Blade, so I’m not attached to the character like that. I feel no emotional loss. Zero. And I’m happy that he’s being recast and more than likely will do a great job.”
Snipes played the vampire hunter Blade, also known as Eric Brook, from 1998 to 2004, so many fans were shocked to hear he wouldn’t be reprising his role.
Back in 2015, Snipes had shared that he hoped to be part of another installment and that it was “in talks” with Marvel.
Although he was shocked to hear Ali was cast, he still calmed his fans about it.
“To all the DAYWALKERS losing their minds right now, chillaaxx,” Snipes said in a statement to ComicBook.com
He even shared some advice with Ali in a recent interview.
“Make sure you’re in shape, man,” he said. “Try not to get hurt. With the demands of action movies, you gotta be an elite athlete and be well-conditioned to survive, and avoid injury. And enjoy it while it lasts.”
Photo Credit: WireImage/ Envision/ AP
