Four years ago, I made a list of Ten Directors Who Should Helm Blade, and two directors later (and what I can only assume is about a million rewrites), we’re still no closer to a Blade movie. I don’t know what is happening with this obviously cursed project but it shouldn’t be this difficult to make a film about a vampire hunter. Yet, Marvel Studios just can’t keep anyone attached to this damn thing. All I know is, if they want this to actually succeed, they better take their time because choosing the right director for a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film is crucial to its success, especially for a character as unique and complex as Blade.
Blade, a half-human, half-vampire who hunts supernatural creatures, requires a filmmaker who can seamlessly blend action, horror, and a strong character narrative. As the MCU looks to reintroduce this iconic vampire hunter, the choice of director will play a pivotal role in shaping the film’s tone, visual style, and overall impact.
Here is a list of directors who could bring the perfect mix of creativity, experience, and vision to helm the next Blade film for the MCU. Here are Ten More Directors Who Should Helm Blade.
10. André Øvredal
Blade may live in the world of superheroes, but he’s a supernatural character. Sure, he may join forces with Iron Man and Spider-Man to stop Thanos, but for the other 364 days, he’s fighting vampires. A Blade movie should not feel or look like an Iron Man or Spider-Man movie. It needs to be part of the supernatural horror genre. One director who has already become a master of that domain is André Øvredal. The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and, most recently, The Last Voyage of the Demeter. Now, I know Demeter got sort of a mixed reception from both critics and those who saw it, but I personally loved it. It’s the reason I think Øvredal could make a really unique Blade movie. Demeter is primarily set in one location, with Dracula slowly stalking and picking off the crew one by one. While you obviously need more than one vampire for a Blade movie, why not have Blade trapped in a skyrise with a bunch of vampires à la The Raid? With Øvredal at the helm, I think it just might work.
–Marmaduke Karlston
9. Michael Giacchino
One of two filmmakers on this who have already helmed an MCU project (unless you don’t count Cloak and Dagger as canon, in which case, he’s the only one). Giacchino is easily better known for his work as a composer, providing the scores for films like Up, Lost, Jurassic World, The Batman, and multiple MCU movies. I don’t exactly know how Giacchino ended up directing Marvel Studios’ Disney+ Special Presentation Werewolf by Night, but I’m so glad that he did. Werewolf by Night is hands down the best MCU Phase 4 project. One of the biggest criticisms levied at Marvel Studios is how all their films follow the same formula (read: cookie cutter). Werewolf by Night really has none of that. It’s in black-and-white not color, there are more practical effects than CGI, and it focuses more on character development than explosions. If the rumors are true that Marvel wants Giacchino to helm Midnight Suns, then why not get him to also direct Blade (which seems like a precursor to the crossover anyway)? He’s proven that he can do it. Plus, then he can work a Man-Thing cameo into Blade.
–Marmaduke Karlston
8. Radio Silence a.k.a. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Yes, they directed the most recent two Scream movies, but that’s not why they’d be perfect for Blade. If you haven’t watched Ready or Not (2019) yet, what are you doing? Stop reading and watch it! In many ways, Samara Weaving’s Grace is Blade. Except, instead of killing vampires, she’s killing her husband’s entire family who wants her dead (I’m not telling you why, watch the movie!). Ready or Not is bloody, but it’s also funny. Deadpool & Wolverine is going to be Marvel Studios’ first R-rated film, but that’s mostly because of the title character’s raunchy behavior. Blade can be the first MCU film to be both funny and gruesomely bloody. With Radio Silence no longer directing Scream 7, and their Escape from New York reboot seemingly dead, their schedule is definitely open to direct Blade, so make the phone call, Marvel!
–Marmaduke Karlston
7. Jalmari Helander
If you’ve seen Sisu then you know why Helander is on this list. It’s not hard to imagine Sisu as if it was a Blade movie. Replace Aatami Korpi with Blade and the Nazis with vampires and then tell me that wouldn’t be a great Blade movie? Sisu is the Finnish John Wick, an action-packed romp with a zero-fucks-given protagonist who is seemingly unkillable despite the Nazis trying repeatedly to put him out to pasture. Marvel Studios has a history of bringing in directors known mostly for indies or low-budget movies (i.e., Cop Car‘s Jon Watts) and handing them the keys to the kingdom, and man do I want to see what Helander can do with a budget larger than $6.5 million.
–Marmaduke Karlston
6. Gina Prince-Bythewood
Since everyone already accuses them of going after “woke” points by hiring female directors to helm movies about female characters and POC to direct films with black leads, they might as well lean into it and kill two birds with one stone. Gina Prince-Bythewood wouldn’t be the first black female director they’ve hired but she would be the first to helm a male character. And unlike Nia DaCosta, Prince-Bythewood has a history of directing action. She’s helmed an episode of the forgettable Cloak and Dagger show, the Charlize Theron actioner The Old Guard, and the recent The Woman King. According to IMDb, her latest project is a fantasy called Children of Blood and Bone, so she’s clearly looking to branch out and do new things. Blade would be the perfect project for her to flex her incredible skills or try something fresh.
–Sailor Monsoon
5. Dev Patel
The Marvel machine, while creatively restrictive, still affords directors the ability to make whatever they want afterward. Waititi wouldn’t have been able to make Jojo Rabbit without Thor: Ragnarok, Gunn was able to take over an entire studio because of his Guardians films and the Russo Brothers can literally do whatever they want because of their Avengers sequels. Dev Patel is exactly the type of director the MCU looks for. Someone with a strong directorial debut who’s looking for a chance to immediately catapult his career into the stratosphere. Although Monkey Man feels more like an attempt to get the job directing the new Bond reboot, I feel like the producers are going to want a bit more experience from Patel behind the camera before they give it to him, which would be the perfect excuse to hitch his wagon to the MCU. He needs the experience and they definitely need someone with his brand of energy and kinetic action.
–Sailor Monsoon
4. Jean Luc Herbulot
Jean Luc Herbulot is by far the most obscure name on this list but give it time and he might end up being the most interesting. He got his start making critically acclaimed shorts, eventually leading to his underseen debut Dealer (2014), which led him to Saloum (2021), the film that should’ve immediately opened up every door for him. Saloum is a Tarantino-inspired thriller about mercenaries escaping a coup with a bag full of money who take refuge in a hidden region on the Saloum river of Senegal. While there, old wounds from the past open and revenge threatens to tear them apart. Without getting into spoilers, the third act is action-heavy with actual stakes you’re invested in. The fact that the film manages to juggle so many themes and genres while still providing an engaging story with well-written characters is a minor miracle. Even though it’s just his second film, it might be proof that he’s overqualified for the director’s chair. Marvel needs to snatch him up before he realizes he’s too good for them.
–Sailor Monsoon
3. Ernest Dickerson
When picking directors for the MCU there’s a tendency to look toward the new, so older, more established directors almost never get the call. This is a shame because a lot of those old directors need work and since they aren’t new, they’re most likely never going to get a chance to helm anything big ever again. There are a ton of directors you know by name that have left their mark on cinema that simply won’t get a shot because they’ve aged out of the business. The MCU could easily pivot to older visionaries instead of promising upstarts if it wanted to. There are so many directors languishing in movie jail that I would love to see make a comeback but if I’m limiting myself to just one old-school director, I want one that never really got his due. Starting out as Spike Lee’s cinematographer, Dickerson eventually branched out on his own with Juice, a helluva debut. He followed that up with a handful of underrated action movies and two horror hidden gems: Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight and Bones. He’s been working in television since the early aughts and outside of episodes in Masters of Horror and Fear Itself, he’s never gone back to action or horror and I think that’s a shame. He’s clearly a talented filmmaker with a real sense of fun in his films. Cinema needs more directors like him.
–Sailor Monsoon
2. Robert Rodriguez
Robert Rodriguez’s name doesn’t carry as much weight as it used to due to all of his weird kid flicks no one watches but there’s no doubt in my mind that the creative genius behind Desperado, Planet Terror, and Sin City is still in there. Alita: Battle Angel wasn’t great but it proved he can still put an actual movie together if he wants to. Now that his kids are all grown up and he no longer needs to cater to an audience of children, he can get back to his roots. The man has a rich background in both action and horror genres, which are essential for a Blade movie. His work on films like From Dusk Till Dawn, which blends horror with high-octane action, and Sin City, known for its stylized violence and dark tones, showcases his capability to handle the visceral and gritty nature that a Blade film demands.
He knows how to handle action and has clearly mastered the genre mash-up but the main reason why I think he’d be perfect is his characters. Rodriguez has a history of directing films with strong, iconic characters. His portrayal of characters in every film he’s made not written by an actual child demonstrates his ability to create memorable, larger-than-life personas that resonate with audiences. This skill is crucial for Blade, a character that needs to be both charismatic and formidable. His extensive experience with action and horror, distinctive visual style, ability to create strong characters, and his innovative and versatile approach to filmmaking make him an ideal choice to direct Blade for the MCU. His unique skills and creative vision could bring a fresh, dynamic, and memorable interpretation of the character to the big screen, satisfying both long-time fans and new audiences alike.
–Sailor Monsoon
1. George Miller
George Miller, the visionary director behind iconic films such as the Mad Max series and Happy Feet, possesses a unique blend of creativity, technical prowess, and storytelling expertise that would make him an excellent choice to helm the MCU adaptation of Blade. His directorial work, especially in Mad Max: Fury Road, showcases his unparalleled ability to create high-octane action sequences that are both visually stunning and narratively compelling. Blade, being a superhero film centered around a vampire hunter, requires intense action scenes that are choreographed with precision and creativity. Miller’s experience in crafting dynamic, kinetic action would ensure that Blade delivers the thrilling combat and chase sequences that audiences crave.
In addition to his unparalleled skill at creating unforgettable action set pieces, he also excels in developing deep, memorable characters. In Mad Max: Fury Road, characters like Furiosa and Max are brought to life with rich backstories and emotional depth. Blade, the half-human, half-vampire protagonist, demands a director who can explore his complex nature and personal struggles. Miller’s ability to balance character development with action would allow for a more nuanced and engaging portrayal of the famous vampire killer. Much like Batman, Blade requires a dark, gothic atmosphere to effectively convey its supernatural elements. Miller’s adeptness at creating immersive worlds, as seen in the post-apocalyptic landscapes of the Mad Max series, would be crucial in establishing the eerie, shadowy underworld that Blade inhabits. His attention to detail and atmospheric storytelling would bring the vampire-infested universe of Blade to life in a visually compelling way.
He’s not the obvious choice (the internet really wants him to do Ghost Rider because he can only direct vehicular action apparently or Thor 5 because of his newfound working relationship with Hemsworth) but since his entire career is made up of the least obvious choices imaginable, I see no reason why he can’t add a superhero film to his resume. Plus, he really needs a hit to make another Mad Max film and a Miller-directed Blade is a guaranteed money-maker.
–Sailor Monsoon
Who do you think should direct Blade? Comment below with your picks.