Should Blade Be a Disney+ Show?

Exploring the possibility of Blade as a Disney+ series: balancing dark themes, character depth, and creative risks.

The upcoming Blade movie potentially transitioning into a Disney+ show sparks intrigue. With a legacy as a vampire hunter deeply entrenched in Marvel comics, the source material presents an engaging blend of mature and shadowy storytelling that might discover a distinct vibe within a serialized presentation. There are conceivable advantages and drawbacks of reshaping Blade into a Disney+ series. This includes elements such as the intricacy of character development, the spectrum of narrative avenues, the track record of Disney+ within the MCU, and the platform's commitment to content suitable for all audiences.

The lengthy history of Blade in the Marvel comics offers plenty of fodder for a Disney+ series. Since the world in which the character exists is rife with blood, gore, and adult themes, a television series might seem like the perfect medium for telling his narrative. The depth of Blade's character and his interactions with the varied array of allies and foes he runs across during his journeys would have plenty of opportunity in a series. In movies, where time restraints might prevent in-depth examination, this sort of character development and world-building is frequently constrained.

A hallmark that sets a Disney+ series apart is its capacity to fully embrace a serialized narrative approach. In stark contrast to movies that must conclude their stories within a fixed timeframe, a series enjoys the luxury of unfolding character arcs, unveiling plot intricacies, and incrementally heightening suspense.

This technique not only sustains audience captivation over an extended duration but also provides room for the incorporation of intricate storylines. The universe of Blade, replete with complex relationships and interconnected subplots, would find an ideal match in the realm of serialized storytelling.

Related: Blade: What Mahershala Ali's MCU Debut Has to Get Right

Nevertheless, there exist possible hurdles in the path of adapting Blade into a Disney+ series. The platform's family-friendly reputation might potentially clash with the mature and violent nature intrinsic to Blade's narrative. The character's tales frequently encompass explicit violence and themes that could potentially diverge from Disney's intended viewership.

These factors give rise to apprehensions that the series might undergo dilution or censorship to render it appropriate for a more youthful audience. Achieving a harmonious equilibrium between Blade's core essence and Disney's brand identity could pose a considerable challenge.

Furthermore, recent complaints of the formulaic storyline in several Disney+ programs, such as Hawkeye and Ms. Marvel, raise doubts about the likelihood that a Blade series will follow the same pattern. The universe of Blade is grim, sinister, and far from clichéd. A safe and predictable approach can dilute the character's authenticity and turn off those hoping for something different. The history of Disney+ programs, which includes both successes and failures, makes the choice even more difficult.

However, avenues for success do exist. Recent Disney+ series such as WandaVision and Moon Knight have showcased a readiness to embrace risks and expand creative horizons. Should the creative ensemble steering Blade adopt a similar mindset, it might pave the way for a series that both honors the character's somber origins and seamlessly adjusts to the Disney+ landscape. The infusion of daring elements has the potential to distinguish Blade from its counterparts and cater to a discerning, mature audience.

Examining the character's journey on the silver screen, the original Blade trilogy featuring Wesley Snipes garnered substantial popularity and wielded notable influence. This served as a testament to the ability of Blade's distinct fusion of horror and action to enrapture viewers. Such a legacy stands poised to ignite inspiration for the forthcoming Disney+ series, nudging it to envelop its darker motifs while artfully tailoring them to resonate with contemporary sensibilities.

Related: Wesley Snipes Reveals He Had Specific Reasons for Playing Blade

Exploring unknown terrain in the MCU is possible with the adaptation of Blade for a Disney+ series. The character's backstory is well-known to many fans, but a series might dive into less well-known facets of Blade's background, uncovering undiscovered stories, links, and uncharted areas of his universe.

Even devoted fans are kept interested and amazed by the plot the creative team has created thanks to this narrative flexibility. The series could provide a unique viewpoint on Blade that distinguishes it from other adaptations by fusing together elements from the comic book character's past and adding novel surprises.

The choice to convert Blade into a Disney+ series brings both enthusiasm and obstacles. Although the character's dark and mature nature provides ample material for exploration in a serialized format, and the potential for character development and intricate storytelling offers a unique opportunity to create a captivating narrative experience, most fans have found the MCU shows on Disney+ to be lackluster and unsatisfying. They have been highly chastised for being overly predictable and, at times, extremely generic, never completely delving into the character's psychology and never properly exploiting the concept, resulting in pretty forgettable episodes.

The MCU movies past Avengers: Endgame, however, even after quite a few disappointments and failures, have a stronger track record, and Blade ultimately would be better suited as a movie, all factors considered.

By embracing risk-taking creativity, drawing inspiration from the original Blade trilogy's impact, and possibly aligning with the upcoming Blade movie, a mature and horror-infused film has the potential to breathe new life into the vampire hunter's legacy, introducing him to a whole new generation of fans while satisfying long-standing enthusiasts, and also being a stand-out feature in the now somewhat stale MCU.

There's nothing I love more than movies and video games. And maybe coffee.