Blade will be the MCU’s second R-rated movie, director Yann Demange has confirmed in a new interview, joining Deadpool 3. As expected it will follow in the footsteps of the original 1998 film, which was also rated R for “strong, pervasive vampire violence and gore, language, and brief sexuality.”
Speaking with Deadline, Demange called the R rating “so important” to the film.
“I come out of this wanting to be more open, more vulnerable and bring a more personal aspect to my work,” he said. “But for Blade, we are going to have fun because [star Mahershala Ali] is such a deep actor. I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that. He’s got a dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.”
Blade’s rating puts it in a rare category. While Logan and the first Deadpool films were rated R, they technically existed outside of the MCU when they were first released. To this point, the MCU has resisted strong violence, though that has been changing of late. Marvel Studios recently confirmed that Echo will be the MCU’s first TV-MA series.
It’s a rare bit of positive news for the film, which has weathered an onslaught of delays, writer changes, and reports of displeasure from its main star. Its creative problems has led to reports that it’s being made for under $100 million.
Marvel’s Blade was first announced during San Diego Comic-Con 2019, where it was greeted with widespread excitement from fans. It was expected to be released this month, but it was delayed due to the ongoing writer’s strike.
In the meantime, the MCU continue to struggle around as its greatest strength has become its curse. Its next movie is The Marvels, which releases on November 20. For more info on Blade, check out our guide to Marvel’s classic vampire hunter.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
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