While there are always exciting MCU projects coming down the pipeline, one that has a lot of people excited is the reboot of Blade. With Mahershala Ali coming in to take over the role from Wesley Snipes, most will agree that Blade is once again in safe hands. The only trouble with the production of Blade is that every day it seems like there's a new issue going on behind the scenes. Understandably, all these issues have started making people nervous.

With plenty of different updates about the production, and snags in writing, casting, and even the budget, it’s not a surprise that Blade fans have been getting nervous. Believe it or not, something as simple as a report of a low budget shouldn’t freak people out nearly as much as it is. When keeping a few key things in mind, the fact that Blade’s budget has supposedly been cut could actually work out in the MCU’s favor.

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Blade's Budget Has Reportedly Been Slashed

It has been reported that Blade’s budget is now set to be lower than $100 million, something that would make it the lowest-budget MCU film to date. This may come as a bit of a shock to many Marvel fans when the average budget now for most MCU movies is around the $200 million mark. Some fans have started wondering if Marvel has lost faith in the project and is looking to take the lowest loss possible on it, while others are wondering if a move like this is a stroke of genius that can re-ignite the general audience’s passion for the MCU as a whole.

No one ever likes to hear that a movie’s budget has been cut, especially when most people are expecting a bombastic blockbuster filled with Blade comic book action. While that may sound like a scary thing it is important to have faith in the creatives behind the film. It’s not like Marvel and Disney aren’t capable of throwing a ton of money at their movies, something that makes it seem like there is a solid plan for the Blade movie. The many reports on the movie may suggest otherwise, but the switch to a lower budget will inherently force creatives to flex their creative muscles instead of relying on pure spectacle.

Lower Budget Means More Creative Risks Can Be Taken

Something that is important to keep in mind is the fact that a budget as reportedly low as the one for Blade means that the MCU can take a big risk. While no one wants a Blade movie that’s going to sideline the titular character, the movie could take on a much more unique tone when compared to other MCU efforts. Whether Blade ends up having much heavier horror aspects or a lot less CGI, both concepts aren’t ones that most movie fans are likely to be mad at. Of course, every movie needs to have the appropriate budget, but the original Blade movie all the way back in 1998 also had a budget that was lower than $100 million, and many people consider it to be one of the best of the early wave of live-action superhero movies. The original Blade, helmed by Wesley Snipes, had a meager budget in comparison to modern MCU movies, and it both set the standard and paved the way for the modern franchise.

With some creativity, the new Blade movie could strive to set a new standard for MCU movies, one that involves lower budgets and a whole lot more practicality. While there will always be a debate about the merits of CGI, there is always something great about practical effects, and a Blade movie could be the perfect moment to bring practical effects back to the franchise in a big way. Outside of effects, Blade could aim for a weird story that combines action and horror without worrying about taking such a major loss at the box office. A lower budget makes for easier returns, and a returning Blade and an experimental horror/action film that stands out from the rest of the MCU might be the thing to bring audiences back to the MCU.

The New Blade Won't De-Fang The Character

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that this new Blade movie isn’t set to be a standard MCU movie in the first place. Blade’s director Yann Demange has confirmed that the movie is set to receive an R-rating, something that many believed would only be reserved for Deadpool. This means that Blade is able to relish in the violence he inflicts upon his vampire enemies, and of course, whatever foes he faces will be capable of showing off some serious damage to helpless people. The R-rating goes a long way in signaling that the new Blade movie will end up being violent and dark, something that will be refreshing for the bright and quippy MCU.

Blade Quick Facts

• Alter Ego: Frank Blade/Eric Cross Brooks
• Team Affiliations: Avengers, Nightstalkers, Midnight Sons
• Species: Dhampir
• Abilities: Master with weapons and martial arts, superhuman abilities, healing factor, vampire immunity, supernatural sense

The lower budget and the R-rating also give the impression that the film will be a lot grungier and unpolished in comparison to other MCU efforts. That’s the exact thing that a character like Blade and other street-level heroes need. Blade doesn’t need to be a pretty movie with artsy shots, it needs to be an action-packed fear-fest that features plenty of incredible vampiric action. With the original Blade movie being R-rated, fans shouldn’t expect the modern reboot to be any different in terms of action, although it won’t be a surprise if there is a bit less gore when compared to the original trilogy.

MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.

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