Entertainment
Mahershala Ali Says Marvel’s Failed Blade Reboot Gave Him a Year of Free Training
After years of delays and uncertainty surrounding Marvel Studios’ Blade, Mahershala Ali appears to have found a silver lining in the project that never made it to the screen.
The two-time Academy Award winner spent more than a year training to portray the vampire hunter, and although his version of Blade ultimately fell apart, Ali says those skills ended up becoming useful for his new action thriller, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.
Speaking about the extensive preparation he underwent for Blade, Ali revealed that he trained for more than a year before the Marvel project stalled. Rather than looking back on the experience entirely negatively, the actor joked that Marvel essentially helped prepare him for his next movie.
“Oh, absolutely. For a year, yeah. A little more than a year. I’m actually really grateful. They helped pay for our movie, so thank you.”
Ali added that he was able to train for a year and views Marvel’s investment in that preparation as a “wonderful contribution” to the new film.
From Blade to Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
There is an interesting connection between the two projects.
Mahershala Ali, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is written and directed by Bassam Tariq, who was previously attached to direct Marvel’s Blade before departing the project in 2022. After Blade fell apart, Tariq had the opportunity to develop the original film and eventually reunite with Ali.
Ali stars as Latif, a devout Muslim, widowed father and contract killer attempting to balance his faith and family with an increasingly violent life. The film also stars John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito and Tramell Tillman.
The physical preparation Ali originally completed for Blade wasn’t wasted. The actor previously explained that he was able to carry the skills he developed during more than a year of Blade training directly into the new film.
Ali has also made it increasingly clear that his time as Marvel’s prospective Daywalker is over.
When recently asked about moving forward with Blade, Ali said he is “done” and ready to focus on other projects.
That follows comments he made earlier this summer confirming he had moved on from the long-delayed Marvel reboot. Ali was originally announced as Marvel’s new Blade at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, but the film endured years of creative changes, delays and turnover without reaching production.
In an unusual way, however, the failed Marvel project helped lead Ali and Tariq to the movie they ultimately made together.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother opens in select U.S. theaters September 25.
RJ Mitte, the actor best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34.
Mitte died Monday in Brownsville, Texas. His representatives confirmed his death in a statement, remembering him as an actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate. A cause of death has not been officially announced.
Mitte became widely known for his role as Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White on Breaking Bad. He appeared throughout all five seasons of the series from 2008 through 2013 and became an important part of one of television’s most celebrated ensembles.
Like his character, Mitte lived with cerebral palsy. He drew from his own experiences for the role and later became an outspoken advocate for greater representation and opportunities for people with disabilities in Hollywood.
Breaking Bad [Sony Pictures Television]
Outside of Breaking Bad, Mitte appeared in projects including Switched at Birth, The Guardians of Justice, The Oak Room and the 2021 film Triumph. His latest film, Talking to Strangers, premiered earlier this year, with Mitte attending a screening in Beverly Hills on September 30.
Mitte also worked extensively with organizations supporting people with disabilities, including United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and served as president of The Mitte Foundation.
His representatives described him as a powerful voice for inclusion whose influence reached well beyond his work on screen.
RJ Mitte was 34.
Jeremy Allen White is ready to step into the shoes of legendary actor Gene Wilder, he just needs someone to make the call.
The Bear star recently addressed the possibility of portraying Wilder in an upcoming biopic after fans pointed out the striking resemblance between the two actors.
During an appearance on TODAY, White was asked whether he would be interested in taking on the role.
“Absolutely, it would be my honour,”
White said.
White went on to reveal his longtime admiration for Wilder and some of his most iconic films.
“Young Frankenstein is one of my earliest film memories. Blazing Saddles, he’s a genius. It would be an honor. He was a genius. It would be an honor. Yeah, I love him. I’ve always loved him.”
Jeremy Allen White [Photo by Dan Doperalski]
Despite his enthusiasm, White confirmed that he has not been cast in the project. When asked whether the role was already his, the actor quickly responded, “No! No, no, no,” before adding, “We’ll see, we’re manifesting it.”
A Gene Wilder biopic was announced earlier this year, with filmmaker Dito Montiel attached to direct. The project has the cooperation of Wilder’s estate, though casting has yet to be announced.
Wilder remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic performers, starring in classics including Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and The Producers. He died in 2016 at the age of 83 following complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
With White openly interested and fans already making comparisons between the two actors, the upcoming biopic may have just found its most obvious candidate, even if the phone hasn’t rung yet.
Blumhouse is bringing another popular horror video game to the big screen.
The studio is developing a live-action adaptation of Amanda the Adventurer, the indie horror game series from MANGLEDmaw Games and publisher DreadXP.
The project was announced during BlumFest at New York Comic Con, with Matthew “MatPat” Patrick attached to produce the film. Patrick is best known for creating the popular Game Theory YouTube series and has spent years exploring the lore behind horror games and other franchises.
Amanda the Adventurer follows Riley Park, who inherits the home of their Aunt Kate and discovers a collection of mysterious VHS tapes in the attic. The tapes contain episodes of an apparently innocent children’s program starring a young girl named Amanda and her sheep companion, Wooly.
Things quickly become much more disturbing when Amanda and Wooly appear capable of communicating directly with the person watching the tapes.
Amanda the Adventurer
The original game became known for combining the appearance of an early-2000s children’s television show with puzzle-solving, psychological horror and increasingly unsettling imagery.
The franchise has since expanded with Amanda the Adventurer 2 and Amanda the Adventurer 3.
The movie will also mark the first project under a broader partnership between Patrick and Blumhouse focused on adapting indie horror games and online horror properties for the screen.
Blumhouse already has major experience turning horror games into theatrical properties following the success of its Five Nights at Freddy’s films.
The Amanda the Adventurer adaptation remains early in development. A writer and director have not yet been announced, and there is currently no confirmed cast or release date.
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