Marvel’s Blade Series Challenges Wesley Snipes’ Deadpool 3 Claim

Although Wesley Snipes made a bold claim during his cameo in “Deadpool & Wolverine” by stating he’s the only Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this isn’t entirely accurate. There is another Blade existing outside the multiverse. This adds a whole new layer to Deadpool’s knowing look at the camera following Snipes’ confident statement.

Back in 2006, Spike TV aired “Blade: The Series,” featuring rapper Sticky Fingaz as Blade. This show followed the events of “Blade: Trinity,” which co-starred Ryan Reynolds. Sticky Fingaz’s portrayal technically presents another variant of Blade, even though it’s within the continuity of the Snipes films. The series brought new characters into the Blade universe, notably Krista Starr (played by Jill Wagner), a soldier seeking to avenge her twin brother’s death at the hands of Marcus van Sciver (Neil Jackson). Krista becomes Blade’s acolyte and receives a serum to prevent her from becoming a full-fledged vampire. She infiltrates Marcus’s inner circle to uncover the secrets of an impending inter-clan vampire war.

Despite the intriguing premise, “Blade: The Series” had a short run, only lasting one season. There may be significant reasons behind its brief lifespan.

“Blade: The Series” started with impressive ratings, attracting 2.5 million viewers for its premiere. This was the highest number for a Spike TV original show at that time. However, it was eventually canceled after one season. Despite the strong initial viewership, IGN reported that the audience size, although respectable, wasn’t overwhelming enough to sustain the series. This led to the show ending on a cliffhanger, never to be resolved for its dedicated audience.

Critics had mixed reviews for “Blade: The Series,” which holds a 50% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 reviews. Many critics missed Wesley Snipes’ version of Blade and noted the show’s budgetary limitations. Nonetheless, the stunt work received significant praise.

Despite its short duration, “Blade: The Series” left a lasting impact on its audience. For those interested in exploring this version of Blade, the entire first season is available on Apple TV+ for $1.99 per episode. Viewing this series could serve as a preparation for the MCU’s upcoming “Blade” movie, provided those behind it resolve their issues with Marvel and bring the new film to the big screen.