Rumour: The Blade film is finally cancelled!

Bad news for all "Blade" fans: the planned solo film project about the iconic vampire hunter is apparently on the verge of being canceled. According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, however, Blade is set to make his MCU debut as part of a "Midnight Sons" film.

The "Midnight Sons" are a team of supernatural antiheroes that includes Ghost Rider, Moon Knight and Doctor Strange alongside Blade. With series such as "Moon Knight" and the special "Werewolf by Night", Marvel has already laid the foundations for such a crossover. So if a film version of "Midnight Sons" is actually made, fans will have to wait quite a while. Insiders assume that the film cannot be made until after the cinema release of "Avengers: Secret Wars" in 2027 at the earliest.

Since its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, "Blade" has repeatedly caused a stir. Despite the early signing of Mahershala Ali, development has made little progress over the years. Several directors left the project, scripts were rejected and creative changes of direction delayed the start of production.

Even Marvel studio boss Kevin Feige recently confirmed in an interview with Variety that at least four different versions of the film had been worked on. Two of them were set in the past. One particularly controversial version is said to have focused heavily on Blade's daughter and pushed the main character himself into the background. According to reports, even costumes from this version found a new use in Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners".

Dark, brutal, fascinating: movie tips about anti-heroes in the style of Blade

Antiheroes have always exerted a special fascination in cinema. They do not fight out of pure charity, do not follow a classic moral code and often operate in a gray area between hero and monster. Hardly any other character embodies this field of tension as impressively as Blade: half human, half vampire, hunter and hunted at the same time. Anyone looking for films with a similar atmosphere, uncompromising action and moral ambivalence will find numerous works worth seeing in the anti-hero genre.

Blade: the benchmark for dark comic book adaptations

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe existed, "Blade" (1998) set new standards. The film combined martial arts action with horror elements and an urban, almost nihilistic mood. Blade is not a shining savior, but a loner who despises his own existence and yet fights for humanity. It is precisely this inner conflict that makes him one of the genre's most influential anti-hero characters to this day.

The Crow: Revenge from beyond the grave

"The Crow" (1994) is another classic for fans of dark anti-heroes. Eric Draven returns after his violent death to take revenge on his murderers. The film thrives on its melancholy atmosphere, gothic imagery and tragic main character. Like Blade, Draven is not a hero in the classic sense – his motivation is pain, loss and retribution, not justice.

Constantine: Between heaven, hell and cynicism

With "Constantine" (2005), an antihero enters the stage who also moves in the supernatural. John Constantine is a chain-smoking exorcist who hunts demons without being particularly "pure" himself. Keanu Reeves lends the character a detached, cynical touch. Fans of "Blade" particularly appreciate the interplay of occultism, dark worldbuilding and a main character who is constantly battling his own demons – both literally and figuratively.

Spawn: damnation as a superpower

"Spawn" (1997) tells the story of a former soldier who makes a pact with hell after his death and returns as a hellish warrior. The film is visually strongly influenced by the 90s, but shares central motifs with Blade: a tragic figure, caught between two worlds, with supernatural powers that are as much a curse as a blessing. Spawn is not a hero who wants to be loved – he wants to survive and take revenge.

Darkman: The Broken Avenger

Sam Raimi's "Darkman" (1990) is an often underrated anti-hero film. Disfigured after a brutal attack, scientist Peyton Westlake uses an artificial skin to hunt down criminals. The film combines comic book aesthetics with horror and tragedy. Like Blade, Darkman loses part of his humanity and pays a high price for his fight against evil.

Logan: the last antihero

"Logan" (2017) is considered one of the best superhero films of all time – precisely because it breaks away from classic genre conventions. Wolverine is old, broken and tired of fighting. His violence is not glorified, but painfully realistic. Anyone who appreciates "Blade" for its seriousness and brutality will find a spiritual relative in Logan.

Why antiheroes like Blade are timeless

Antiheroes often reflect the darker side of our society. They are flawed, traumatized and act out of personal motives rather than idealistic values. This is precisely why they seem more authentic and tangible than flawless heroes. "Blade" and similar films show that good doesn't always have to be radiant – sometimes it wears black leather clothing, fights in the shadows and lives with the consequences of its decisions. For fans of dark action, supernatural elements and moral gray areas, anti-hero cinema remains one of the most exciting varieties of the genre.