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Michael Jackson’s enduring musical legacy and the controversies that shadowed his personal life are well-documented. But beyond the music and the headlines, there was a lesser-known ambition: a desire to transition to the world of superhero films. The King of Pop reportedly sought a role in the 1998 cult classic, Blade, a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe was still a nascent idea and Marvel wasn’t yet the entertainment juggernaut it is today. This pursuit reveals a fascinating “what if” scenario in both Jackson’s career and the early days of modern superhero cinema.
Before Robert Downey Jr. Redefined Iron Man and launched the MCU, studios were more hesitant to gamble on lesser-known comic book properties. Blade, starring Wesley Snipes, stood out as a groundbreaking action film that proved a darker, more unconventional hero could resonate with audiences. The film’s success paved the way for future superhero adaptations, but its origins were rooted in a unique set of circumstances. As Blade screenwriter David Goyer recalled to Entertainment Weekly, Modern Line Cinema was looking to create a lower-budget Black superhero film at a time when “Marvel was in bankruptcy, and they’d already sold the rights to X-Men and Spider-Man and a few other things…”
A Pitch to Wesley Snipes
It was Wesley Snipes himself who first heard of Jackson’s interest in joining the Blade universe. Snipes and Jackson had a prior connection, having worked together on the music video for Jackson’s hit song “Lousy” in the 1980s. Snipes recounted to Billboard that Jackson had expressed admiration for his work, even suggesting he pursue acting. “He was like, ‘Hey, you’re really good, you should really pursue this. Have you thought about acting?’” Snipes said. “I was like, ‘Mike… well… yeah. What do you mean?’ He was like, ‘Coz you’re really good, you should really consider doing this. You could be good.’”
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Jackson pitched an idea for Blade II (2002). “Michael actually asked me if he could be in Blade II,” Snipes revealed. “The great Michael wanted to be in one of the Blade movies, to be a tough guy. I was like, ‘Mike, which one you gonna do? You wanna play one of the vampires?’ He was like, ‘No! I wanna be like Blade’s friend — I wanna fight with you!’ I said, ‘Oh Mike, you got jokes.’ He was like, ‘No, I’m serious!’” Snipes admitted it was difficult to envision Jackson in the gritty world of Blade.
A Cut Cameo and Spider-Man Dreams
Even as a co-starring role didn’t materialize, there was a plan for a cameo appearance. According to Collider, Jackson was slated to play a “tall, dark, and gaunt vampire” in a scene set in the House of Pain, handing out bags of blood and guts. The character wouldn’t have had any lines, but the visual of Jackson in the role would have undoubtedly been memorable. Unfortunately, the scene was ultimately cut from the final film, and Jackson’s cameo never came to fruition.
Jackson’s ambitions extended beyond Blade. Before Disney acquired Marvel Studios, he reportedly expressed interest in purchasing the company, driven by a desire to play Spider-Man. Stan Lee, the legendary creator of many Marvel characters, shared that Jackson believed acquiring Marvel was the only way to secure the role. “He felt that would be the only way that he could play Spider-Man,” Lee said, via Comics Alliance. Jackson also allegedly expressed interest in portraying Professor X in Fox’s X-Men films.
By the time of Jackson’s death in 2009, the landscape of superhero cinema had dramatically changed. The Blade trilogy had run its course, Robert Downey Jr. Had launched the MCU with Iron Man, and actors like Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy had already established themselves in the roles of Professor X. Tobey Maguire had cemented his place as Spider-Man in a series of successful films. The opportunities Jackson envisioned had passed, leaving behind a fascinating glimpse into a different potential path for the King of Pop.
While Michael Jackson never realized his dream of becoming a Marvel superhero, his artistic influence continues to resonate. His foray into the world of comic book films serves as a reminder of his boundless creativity and ambition. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, it’s intriguing to imagine how Jackson’s unique vision might have contributed to its evolution.
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