Key Takeaways:
– Wesley Snipes earns a Guinness World Record for the longest career as a live-action Marvel character.
– Snipes revitalizes his Blade character in Deadpool & Wolverine.
– Snipes' return to Marvel was improbable due to Mahershala Ali's casting as new Blade.
When it comes to longevity in the Marvel Universe, it might surprise you to learn that the actor holding the Guinness record for the longest career isn't Hugh Jackman, but Wesley Snipes. Snipes, best remembered for his portrayal of Blade, the half-vampire, half-mortal man, snagged the record following an unexpected comeback in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Snipes Surpasses Jackman in Marvel Career Longevity
Before the advent of X-Men and Spider-Man, it was Snipes' Blade that gave Marvel its first significant success in the world of cinema. Now, over two decades since the release of the Blade trilogy, Snipes has once again reprised his iconic role in the latest Deadpool sequel. This surprise return not only shocked fans but also secured Snipes the record for the longest stint as a live-action Marvel character.
Even with the expected return of Robert Downey Jr. in the upcoming Avengers series slated for 2027, Snipes seems poised to retain his record for some time.
The Unexpected Return of Blade
Despite the commercial success of the Blade trilogy, Snipes was not initially keen on reprising the role. The actor believed a comeback was off the cards, especially with Marvel casting Mahershala Ali for its own Blade project. However, a surprise phone call from his former costar Ryan Reynolds, inviting him to join the cast of Deadpool & Wolverine, changed Snipes' mind.
As he told Entertainment Weekly, “…when you get a call from Ryan Reynolds out of the blue after 20 years, you go, ‘Okay, I got to take this call. Let's see what this is about,' He told me the idea… They said ‘yes' and ‘it's a go.' ‘If you're in, we're in.' Here we are.”
Future for Jackman in the MCU
On the other hand, Hugh Jackman, who seemed primed to beat Sir Patrick Stewart's record with his appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, couldn't snatch the title. However, the Wolverine actor may still have a chance at the record, should he decide to return in future MCU projects.
Deadpool & Wolverine, featuring Wesley Snipes' much-celebrated return as Blade, is currently screening in theaters. Whether or not he will continue to hold his Guinness record depends on future MCU casting decisions, but for now, fans are simply enjoying Snipes' remarkable return to the Marvel Universe. Jackman, meanwhile, may have a chance to topple Snipes' record, given future MCU projects. Until then, it remains Snipes' moment of triumph.
For avid MCU fans, this record-breaking achievement is yet another testament to the franchise's profound and enduring impact on cinema. As we continue to follow the adventures within the Marvel Universe, the long careers of figures like Snipes, Stewart, and Jackman make clear that these stories are far from over.
