Watch How 'Blade' Saved Marvel And Paved The Way For The MCU

How 'Blade' Saved Marvel And Paved The Way For The MCU is a documentary film that commemorates one of the most influential movies in the comic book industry. Released in 1998, Blade was a dark, gritty, and action-packed film that introduced a new kind of superhero to the world. The documentary starts by highlighting Marvel's struggles in the late 90s. After a series of failed attempts at bringing their comic book characters to life, Marvel was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, Blade's massive success proved to be a turning point for the company. The film, which starred Wesley Snipes as the titular character, grossed over $130 million worldwide and was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement in the genre.

Through interviews with the cast and crew of Blade, as well as industry experts, the documentary takes a deep dive into the making of the movie. It showcases how director Stephen Norrington and writer David S. Goyer took a relatively unknown comic book character and turned him into a film icon. Wesley Snipes, who was already an established action star, was the perfect choice to play Blade. He trained for months to master the character's fighting style and even performed most of his own stunts.

The documentary also explores how Blade's success paved the way for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Before Blade, comic book movies were considered a risky venture with little financial returns. However, Blade's success showed that comic book adaptations could be both artistically and commercially successful. This paved the way for the MCU, which has become the most successful movie franchise of all time, grossing over $22 billion worldwide.

The film also delves into Blade's cultural significance. Blade was one of the first black superheroes to hit the big screen and was a major breakthrough for representation in Hollywood. The documentary shows how Blade's success opened doors for other black superheroes like Black Panther and Luke Cage.

The documentary includes interviews with several people involved in the making of Blade. Wesley Snipes, who played the lead character, talks about his experience playing Blade and the impact the movie had on his career. David S. Goyer, who wrote the script, discusses how he developed the character and how he convinced Marvel to take a risk on a lesser-known comic book character.

Other interviews include those with Stephen Norrington, the film's director, Marv Wolfman, who co-created the Blade character with artist Gene Colan, and Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios. Through their insights, the documentary showcases how Blade became a pop culture phenomenon and helped lay the foundation for the MCU.

The documentary also pays tribute to the late Donal Logue, who played Blade's sidekick Whistler in the film. Logue passed away in 2021, and the documentary shows how his unique performance added a layer of humor to the otherwise dark and gritty movie.

Overall, How 'Blade' Saved Marvel And Paved The Way For The MCU is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of comic book movies. It shows how a relatively small movie with a modest budget can have a massive impact on the entire industry. Blade's influence can still be seen today in the Marvel movies and beyond, and this documentary is a fitting tribute to its legacy.