Key Takeaways:
– Wesley Snipes made a surprise cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, setting a record for the longest Marvel live-action character career.
– Snipes returned to his Blade role nearly two decades later, beating Hugh Jackman's record.
– Many fans feel the record should be based on the number of appearances rather than years.
– Snipes' comeback also set a record for the longest gap between character roles in Marvel films.
– Ryan Reynolds was instrumental in getting Snipes back into the Blade role even for a cameo.
Casting a New Record in Blade: Actor Wesley Snipes Returns
The world of Marvel got a surprise jolt as veteran actor Wesley Snipes, known for his role as Blade, made a sudden comeback in Deadpool & Wolverine. Almost two decades after his last appearance, the 62-year-old actor broke the record for the longest career as a live-action Marvel character spanning 25 years and 340 days. This was not a record fans saw coming; it has provoked mixed reactions since its reveal.
Snipes Stole the Show but Not the Hearts of Hugh Jackman's Fans
Snipes' unexpected appearance may have shattered records, but it left some fans less than thrilled. They expressed their disappointment over the fact that the record now belongs to Snipes, who had only four films to his name, instead of Hugh Jackman, the Wolverine star who appeared in ten movies. The debates sparked a discussion over whether longevity or frequency of appearances should define such records.
The Return of Snipes: A Record After a Long Gap
Interestingly, Snipes also set a new record for the longest gap between character appearances in Marvel films, returning after a 19-year pause following Blade: Trinity. This uniqueness of his record triggered more discussions among fans about its validity. Many fans feel that Snipes' record shouldn't be regarded due to the significant time lapse between his appearances.
Fans Express their Opinions: Record Under Dispute
Fans voiced their opinions on Twitter, questioning the grounds of this new record. One user, @Scoby20, posted, “Does it really count when he hasn't been blade since 2004?” Other fans, like @Yhaa_Queen, expressed disbelief. In contrast, @CocaineRivers wondered if Jackman could reclaim the record with another Wolverine appearance.
Inside the Surreal Comeback: Snipes Reprises his Role as Blade
Snipes' return to the Blade was a shock even to himself. He received an unexpected call from Ryan Reynolds, who had gotten permission from Marvel to reintroduce Blade in Deadpool 3. Initially stunned, Snipes eventually embraced the opportunity. He trained for two months prior to the film shooting, despite not having any challenging action sequences in this particular film.
Despite playing the same character, Snipes felt unprepared and had to brace himself to don the Blade persona again. Snipes confessed to Entertainment Weekly, “I didn't think it was possible…I didn't think that Marvel was into it, Disney was into it… but [when] you get a call from Ryan Reynolds out of the blue after 20 years, you go, Okay, I got to take this call.”
What's Ahead for the Marvel Universe?
While we revel in the unexpected and record-breaking return of Wesley Snipes as Blade, one cannot help but wonder what lies ahead. Could Hugh Jackman make another appearance as Wolverine and reclaim the record? Or will another veteran Marvel actor make a surprise comeback? Regardless, one thing is for sure – the Marvel Universe will continue surprising its fans.
You can catch Deadpool & Wolverine in theaters now, while the Blade films can be rented on AppleTV+. For now, Wesley Snipes continues to holds the Marvel record for the longest career as a live-action character.
