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Wesley Snipes has had a monumental career in the movie industry, where has worked in a plethora of films, spanning different genres. The actor gained fame in the 80s when he gave some of the biggest hits in that period, and he stole the spotlight, irrespective of being the main or a supporting cast of the film. Some of his renowned films includeKing of New York, New Jack City, Demolition Man,and many more.
However, his most popular role was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he played the role of Blade in the MCU, and the film was so popular that it toppled Steven Spielberg’sSaving Private Ryanin the theatres. Despite such massive achievement, Marvel made only $25,000 from the project.
Also Read:“Some of them are still traumatized”: Wesley Snipes Revealed One Horrific Blade Scene Shocked His Co-Stars That Went Too Far
Marvel Felt Wesley Snipes’BladeWas A Lost Cause Until it Toppled Steven Spielberg’s Project
“Marvel as a movie-making entity was inconsequential, and it was during the course of making ‘Blade’ that the ownership changed. […] Avi Arad kind of arrived on the scene. He really had nothing to do with the first Blade. I think Marvel was paid $25,000 — that was what their upside on ‘Blade’ happening was. That all happened before I even got involved; that was the deal that New Line made with Marvel. [Marvel] didn’t think that it was worth anything.”
The producer added that the project was a“weird oddity”as the film could not be categorized in a genre, but more importantly, it toppledSteven Spielberg’sSaving Private Ryanfrom the top of the box office.
“‘Blade’ was a weird oddity. […] It came out the second weekend of ‘Saving Private Ryan’; it knocked ‘Saving Private Ryan’ out of first place. Everyone was like, ‘What is that thing? Is it a horror movie? Is it a superhero movie? Is it a vampire movie? Is it a kung fu movie?’ No one could figure it out, which is exactly what we had wanted to do, a total genre-bender.”
However, disappointment did not stop Steven Spielberg’s project. Though the film was a massive success at the box office, many believed that the film would win the Academy Award for Best Film. Sadly, the film did not have a fairytale ending as in 1999 the film got snubbed, andShakespeare in Lovewon the ceremony’s prestigious prize. The loss of the film felt personal, and even to this day, numerous people share the same sentiment.
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Wesley Snipes Sues The Production Team ofBlade: TrinityFor Less Screen Time
Wesley Snipes’portrayal of Blade in theBladetrilogy remains to be his most iconic performance of all time, as his performance has been cemented in the history of cinema, and the memories of cinema connoisseurs. Each film increased the stakes, but more importantly, Snipes’ performance in each film was standing ovation-worthy. Sadly,Blade: Trinitymarked the end of the franchise.
However, unlike the first two films, it was quite disappointing, as perScreenRantthe film had several issues from poor character writing to plot holes that made no sense, leaving the film in a mess. But most important of all, was Snipes’ alleged problems with his co-stars during the production of the film. In 2005, theMoney Trainactor sued the entire production ofBlade: Trinityalong with director David S. Goyer as they allegedly didn’t pay his salary in full.
Moreover, he was kept out of casting decisions, with the addition of Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel abrupt changes were made to the script, sidelining his character. A lack of communication between Snipes and the director also hindered the film’s success.
Also Read:“Nothing is original anymore”: Stranger Things Fans May Not be Happy to Find Out the Truth Behind Some of It’s Iconic Scenes
Blade(1988) can be streamed on Max.
Tushar Auddy
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1784
Tushar Auddy is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, primarily covering WWE. He has contributed to anime, MCU, DCU, animation, and TV Series, giving sharp insights and coming up with his own unique theories, which take the fandom by storm.
