10 Actors (and an Actress) Who Could Play Blade in the Upcoming Netflix Series

Recent reports are suggesting that Netflix and Marvel will be teaming up to bring even more of our favorite heroes to the small screen. Moon Knight, Blade and Ghost Rider are expected to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Netflix to the joy of many fans.

I am making fan casting lists for each series about potential actors for the roles of the three famous characters.

Blade will be the next character I will be looking at. He was a hard one to cast because of the already famous Blade Trilogy that starred Wesley Snipes. I was trying to look for characters that could differentiate from Snipes while also keeping true to the character.

Now, it was heavily rumored months ago that Wesley Snipes and Marvel could be looking at making another Blade movie or simply keeping Wesley Snipes as Blade and continuing the Blade Trilogy in another form of media. While it would be cool to see Snipes as Blade again, I am not holding my breath on the possibility, so we need to think of other actors to take on the role.

I have 11 actors that I think could do the role justice and become our new favorite half human and vampire in the Marvel Universe. This list will include a BIG surprise at the end, so I hope you have an open mind.

Here we go:

11. Gary Carr

An English actor with a lot of promise and has the potential to break out. He is well known for being the first black actor to appear on the PBS show Downton Abbey and has appeared in many lesser-known films and shows. Blade could be his big break.

10. Laz Alonso

Alonso is a guy that I originally did not have on this list, but I saw a picture of him when I was searching for images for the article and he stood out as a guy who has the look of Blade. When I did more research on him I noticed just how prominent he is in Hollywood, appearing in a lot of film and shows, but has yet to be the star of his own film or series. He has the look and (based on what I have seen) the right attitude for the role.

9. D.B. Woodside

Marvel and DC LOVE to steal actors from each other — it has happened 53 times! Woodside is currently playing in the DC show Lucifer, and I think that he has a good chance to be the new Blade. He has the swagger and intimidation down, and has some experience in a supernatural TV series through Lucifer.

8. Neil Brown Jr.

Known for playing DJ Yella in Straight Out Of Compton. While he is a very capable actor, the big reason I put him on this list is because he has experience in martial arts, something that any actor will have to learn for the series, but Brown is one step ahead of most on this list.

7. Shad Moss

Better known as Bow Wow, he is known for his rapping, but he has been making strides as an actor. While his more serious acting credits are lacking, he has the swagger I was looking for in a role like this and I think he is a solid actor with potential.

6. Nate Parker

He was great in Beyond the Lights and Non-Stop and will be starring in his own movie The Birth of a Nation. This guy will be a household name within years because he is so talented, and I think Marvel needs to scoop him up quick before it's too late.

5. Aml Ameen

Ameen is best known for his role as Alby in The Maze Runner, but he also already has a working relationship with Netflix for his role in Sense8. Ameen is a talented actor who can portray that tough guy bravado, while also being able to pull on heartstrings with his ability to play in deep emotional scenes.

4. Shameik Moore

You will recognize him from his breakout role in Dope. He was amazing in that film, and honestly Moore would probably be number one on this list if it wasn't for the fact that he is only 21 years old. He has everything you need for the character, but I do not know if Marvel is going to look for an actor this young for Blade, It is possible, but unlikely.

3. Wade F. Wilson

If you are a fan of NBA 2K, then you will recognize Wilson for his mo-cap performance as Vic Van Lier in the story mode gameplay. In that alone he proved his range was wide, from comical to dramatic, and he has been a scene stealer in his other film credits. An unknown talent that could become a star if he got his big break, he could portray Blade in a way different from Wesley Snipes — but also better, in my opinion.

2. Isaiah Mustafa

He is well known as the guy riding the horse from the Old Spice commercials, but he is actually a very capable actor as well. He is currently playing Luke Garroway in the Freeform show Shadowhunters, so he has experience playing supernatural roles and has the body to give us the buff and intimidating Blade. He has the attitude and the acting talent to make Blade one of the most entertaining characters in the Marvel Universe.

1. Danai Gurira

Yes, I picked a woman to play Blade, not just any woman though, I picked freaking Michonne! She is perfect for this role — she has experience in action, weapons and martial arts, and she has the attitude to pull off this character. Some of you are probably saying that gender swapping Blade is a terrible idea, and I cannot change the mind of your usual comic book fan who cannot stand change, but I have an argument.

Blade is the first Marvel character (outside of Spider-Man) that has had a successful trilogy of movies with an iconic actor playing the character, maybe Marvel wants to distance this property from the original. It is not like this character has his roots dug deep into male culture, and the name Blade could stay the same. As for the alter ego, it goes from Eric to Erica, simple.

I would not gender swap this character for the hell of it; I truly believe that Danai Gurira is one of the most talented female actresses around, and I think she could portray this character better than any man. Her attitude and screen presence will captivate an audience while her natural acting talent will take over the character and give Blade a different, but amazing new look and feel.