Wesley Snipes has taken the spotlight in the latest ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ movie, not only by appearing unexpectedly but also by setting two impressive records.
At 61, Snipes brought back his famed character Eric Brooks, also known as Blade, the vampire-hunting ‘daywalker’ from the 1998 movie ‘Blade.’
His comeback happened almost 26 years after his first appearance, snatching the Guinness World Record for the longest tenure as a live-action Marvel character from Hugh Jackman.
Jackman had held a similar expectation of breaking the record with his role as Wolverine, which started 24 years ago in ‘X-Men’ (2000).
In a pleasant twist, Snipes also claimed the record for the longest break between portraying the same Marvel character on screen—nearly 20 years since ‘Blade: Trinity’ in 2004.
He overtook Alfred Molina, who had a 17-year hiatus between his roles as Doctor Octopus in the ‘Spider-Man’ series.
Snipes’ decision to return as Blade was spurred by an unexpected call from Ryan Reynolds, adding a new chapter to his career. ‘When Ryan Reynolds calls you out of the blue after 20 years, you answer,’ Snipes remarked.
The proposal to return as Blade was sudden but compelling enough for him to say yes.
Snipes also had to get in shape quickly, as he wasn’t sure how action-packed his scenes would be. Fortunately, he found the physical demands less than anticipated.
In the film, Blade isn’t fighting alone. He joins forces with Deadpool, Wolverine, and other Marvel heroes like Elektra, Gambit, and X-23.
They face off against Cassandra Nova and her mutant army, played by Emma Corrin. This ensemble makes for an exciting mix, especially with Snipes at the center.
However, not everyone is thrilled about these records. Some fans argue that Snipes’ new records shouldn’t count since he wasn’t actively portraying Blade for many of those years.
They believe that continuous portrayal should be a factor in such achievements, unlike a long hiatus which might not reflect the same level of ongoing commitment as Jackman’s consistent portrayal of Wolverine.
The movie also marked a reunion for Snipes and Reynolds, who had previously worked together in ‘Blade: Trinity.’ Snipes admitted that Reynolds’ humor was a bit too much for him back then, but this time around, he appreciated it more. ‘It was enjoyable to work with him again,’ he shared.
Chris Evans also made a surprise return in the movie, continuing his run as a Marvel superhero across 11 films, the most by any actor in feature films.
It’s exciting for us to see these actors reprising their roles after so many years. Snipes’ return as Blade, in particular, feels like a full circle moment, reconnecting us with a character that has been iconic in the superhero genre.
