Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali is all set to play Blade in Marvel’s upcoming reboot, and the actor cannot thank original Blade star Wesley Snipes enough for his endorsement. Ali is clearly feeling the pressure of playing such a beloved character in such a major franchise as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the actor recently thanking Snipes for being such a class act and giving him the encouragement to carry the mantle of The Daywalker.

“Humbled and so encouraged by that. Because he didn’t have to say that. Nobody really asked him like that. So for him to come out and say that, somebody I look up to so much. I sincerely appreciated that. So thank you, brother.”

Wesley Snipes, who of course played the role of Blade in the trilogy comprised of Blade, Blade II, and Blade: Trinity from 1998 to 2004, had hoped to return to the role someday, but following the announcement that the character would instead be played by Moonlight star Mahershala Ali, Snipes has been nothing but supportive. Taking to social media, Snipes said of Ali’s casting, "Best of luck to Mahershala Ali who's gonna smash it,” before jesting, “I'm sure as blade but he's gonna have a hard time outdoing Wesley Snipes," and concluding with, "He will do great."

Regarding the rest of the project however, Snipes has some concerns, with the actor hoping that Marvel’s reboot will receive the same praise as his tenure did (for the most part). “My question is not with him, it’s the people around him,” Snipes said. “It takes something great and very special to make an iconic film. And you don't even know if it's gonna be iconic until it's done. The people decide it. . . I want the same reaction we got with the versions we did. Audiences in the theater were yelling and clapping. I'm looking for that.”

Little is currently known about Marvel’s Blade, which some rumors have claimed will be titled Blade: The Vampire Slayer and could include the debut of Blade’s daughter, Fallon Grey. Mahershala Ali had been the only actor to join the project for some time, but it was recently revealed that Da 5 Bloods star Delroy Lindo has also now signed on, suggesting that Marvel do plan on surrounding Ali’s lead with actors of equal talent.

Watchmen writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour has been tapped to pen the script, with Mogul Mowgli director Bassam Tariq since confirming that he is on board to helm the project. The legacy of Wesley Snipes’s iteration of Blade is not being forgotten, which should ease some of the actor’s concerns, with Tariq saying, "Him being a daywalker is the one thing that's been established, and you know we can't deny what Wesley Snipes did, which was he basically got this whole ball rolling,” the filmmaker said. “A Black man created the superhero world that we're in, that's just the truth.”

Blade does not yet have a release date, but the movie is expected to be placed on the Marvel calendar between upcoming sequels Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Marvels as part of Phase 4. This comes to us from Breakfast Club Power.