Actor Frank Grillo, known for his role as Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has endorsed the tone of Captain America: The Winter Soldier as the ideal direction for Mahershala Ali’s upcoming Blade film. Grillo believes the movie should embrace a grounded, intense atmosphere rather than pursuing the usual blockbuster spectacle. This perspective highlights the creative approach Ali’s Blade might take amid uncertainty around its production timeline.
Why The Winter Soldier Provides a Strong Model for Blade
The MCU has increasingly favored high-stakes events involving cosmic or multiversal crises, often delivering large-scale spectacles. However, Grillo suggests that The Winter Soldier stands out as a refreshing exception, thanks to its darker, espionage-driven narrative and political thriller elements. This film’s focus on surveillance, conspiracy, and covert organizations offered a more serious, grounded tone that resonated with audiences.
Grillo stated,
“Winter Soldier is the best Marvel movie. I love them over at Marvel, and it’s so great to see how successful everybody’s become, but I hope that they can get back to the glory of where they were and not just be spectacles that are there to make a lot of money from.”
—Frank Grillo, actor
For Ali’s Blade, adopting a comparable tone could allow the film to explore darker, more nuanced themes instead of conventional superhero fare. Building on the bleakness and complexity that made The Winter Soldier unique would help distinguish Blade in an MCU currently dominated by larger-than-life narratives.
Current Status and Challenges Surrounding Mahershala Ali’s Blade
Despite the potential outlined by Grillo, progress on Ali’s Blade appears stalled. Since its announcement during Phase 4, the project has seen little visible forward movement. Disney’s decision to reallocate costume assets intended for Blade to Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and the film’s removal from Marvel’s release calendar suggest it is not a top priority for the studio at this time.
As the MCU approaches the culmination of its multiversal saga, focusing on interconnected, large-scale stories such as Secret Wars, it seems unlikely that a standalone, character-driven story like Blade will be released soon. The studio’s current roadmap prioritizes epic, universe-spanning narratives rather than self-contained films.
Though there is a possibility that Blade could be revisited following Secret Wars and incorporated into a new MCU phase, fans should temper expectations due to the apparent delays and Ali’s age, as the actor is already 51. The uncertainty surrounding the project leaves the future of Blade unclear.
The Implications for Marvel’s Future Storytelling
Should Blade follow Grillo’s advice and echo the tone of The Winter Soldier, it could provide a welcome divergence from the typical MCU blockbuster. This approach might reconnect the franchise with darker, more intimate storytelling, resonating with audiences craving more substance amid the spectacle.
Moreover, a well-executed Blade could reinvigorate Marvel’s slate by emphasizing complex character development and thematic depth, potentially setting a new standard for upcoming MCU projects. However, until the studio commits to its production and releases a clear timeline, Blade remains in limbo.
Fans interested in these tonal shifts can currently stream Captain America: The Winter Soldier on Disney+ in the USA, offering a glimpse into the style and narrative that Frank Grillo recommends for Mahershala Ali’s Blade.
