Here's Michael Jackson's rejected cameo in Blade 2 explained. Outside of the Batman sequels and The Crow, the '90s is generally considered something of a wasteland in the comic book movie genre. Blade changed all that in 1998, with the movie casting Wesley Snipes as the titular half-human, half-vampire hunter. Blade's slick action, creative worldbuilding and Snipes' star turn made the R-rated movie a surprise success, which is credited with reviving the genre and leading to films like X-Men and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man.
Snipes returned for two sequels, though the production of Blade: Trinity was famously troubled. The star was unhappy with the sequel's script and choice of director in David Goyer and was reportedly so uncooperative to the point where he would only turn up for filming close-ups. Trinity - which had a better alternate ending - was a financial disappointment and failed to launch a planned spin-off focusing on Jessica Biel and Ryan Reynolds' Nightstalkers. A short-lived TV series that cast Kirk Jones as Blade also aired in 2006.
Blade: Trinity ended the franchise on a weak note, but Blade 2 is still well-regarded. This Guillermo del Toro helmed follow-up sees Blade forced to work with a team of vampires who were trained to kill him to fight a bigger threat in the Reapers, a vicious new breed of vamp who hunts humans and bloodsuckers alike. Blade 2 is a gothic, gory delight and features some of the best action of the series. Popstar Michael Jackson was also supposed to make a brief cameo in Blade 2, which would have been a reunion between him and Snipes - who auditioned for Coming To America - after the music video for "Bad." Jackson was to have a non-verbal role during Blade 2's House Of Pain sequence, where Nyssa (Leonor Varela) encounters a vampire unpacking bags filled with gore.
Michael Jackson later dropped out of Blade 2 for scheduling reasons, and while the scene was shot with another actor, it was later cut for pacing. Jackson did make a brief appearance in Men In Black II as Agent M the year Blade 2 was released, however. Snipes also told Billboard in 2017 that the late singer had wanted a much larger role in Blade 2, and after asking if he wanted to play a villain, the singer told Snipes “No! I wanna be like Blade’s friend — I wanna fight with you!”
Snipes' didn't take Michael Jackson's Blade 2 pitch very seriously, but presumably, the singer's planned cameo arose from those conversations. Snipes has since been replaced as Blade by Mahershala Ali, who made his first outing in 2021's Eternals and will front an upcoming solo movie. Snipes will be a very hard act to follow, but Ali is certain to have a unique take on Blade.