Marvel hasn't done much with the already-established Blade film franchise, since they began expanding their own cinematic universe. The original Blade trilogy began in the 1990s and went onto be one of the more respected comic book adaptation movie series of the late 1990s and early '00s (prior to the weak reception for Blade: Trinity, anyway).

Fans have been sitting in anticipation, hoping that Marvel would make some movement with the character, whether that means rebooting him or bringing Wesley Snipes back to the role that he made famous. An actor that already has an established place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has thrown his hat in the ring and it has the fans buzzing.

Comic book convention panel discussions are always good for a soundbite, and this weekend's Wizard World Cleveland was no exception. Actor Anthony Mackie threw his hat in the ring, letting fans know that it's his dream to portray the half-breed vampire hunter:

“I pretty much want to grow up to be Wesley Snipes. If we can bring back Blade, I’d definitely be Blade in every Blade movie.”

The only issue with this notion is that Mackie is already a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universes, since he has portrayed Sam Wilson aka. Falcon in four movies thus far (including, last year's Captain America: Civil War).

There could be some benefit to Mackie taking on the mantle of Blade. The fans may have loved Wesley Snipes in the role, and though he is open to a return there isn't a lot of future in Snipes as Blade. The actor will turn fifty-five this year and while he's in great shape, the thirty-eight year old Mackie may be a choice with more longevity. We all saw forty-eight year old actor Hugh Jackman turn in his claws this year as he portrayed Wolverine for the final time in Logan. Fans may have been sad to see him go, but it's difficult to argue that it isn't the right time.

On the other hand, Snipes does bring a certain recognition to the character and it would be a major event for the fans if he were to return. It's possible that Marvel could bring him back to pass the torch to a new, younger Blade, so that the character could have more room to grow over the next couple of decades in film or on television. We might instantly assume that Blade would be coming to the big screen, but now that we've seen darker characters like Ghost Rider featured on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the possibilities are more open.

The MCU has no public plans to bring Blade back at this time, according to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, but one can never be too certain about what Marvel is working on, behind closed doors. A hint that was dropped from Underworld star Kate Beckinsale last year indicated that she knew of plans to bring Blade back into the fold.

Source: Anthony Mackie [via Screen Geek]