Along with the likes of 2000’s “X-Men” and 2002’s “Spider-Man,” Stephen Norrington’s “Blade” is one of the movies credited with triggering the spectacular modern upturn in the popularity of superhero movies.
The first installment in a hugely popular trilogy, it tells the story of the eponymous Marvel Comics character. Blade is a human with all the classic vampire strengths, but not their weaknesses, an arsenal of devastating weapons, and badass fighting skills, who makes it his life’s mission to eradicate vampires from existence.
It stars Wesley Snipes as the titular character, along with a fabulous supporting cast that includes Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, and N’Bushe Wright.
The film is much better than its modest 59% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggests. It was also only a moderate financial success, grossing $131.2 million worldwide (per Box Office Mojo), having cost around $45 million to make. These days, it is viewed in an extremely positive light, thanks to its awesome action, its perfect melding of the superhero genre with horror, its fantastic leading man performance, and its contribution towards the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe existing today.
Released on August 21, 1998, the movie will turn 28 this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to see how the core cast are looking compared to back when it hit theaters? Let’s do that now…
Wesley Snipes (Blade, AKA Eric Brooks)
Above is a social media post with eight pictures of Wesley Snipes in “Blade.”
Actor, producer, martial artist, and author Wesley Snipes played the eponymous character in “Blade.” He is a human with all the vampire strengths, without their weaknesses. He wants to wipe vampires out.
Age when the movie released: 36.
Selected movie credits before that: Major League (1989), White Men Can’t Jump (1992), Demolition Man (1993).
GettyAge now: 63.
Selected movie credits since: The Expendables 3 (2014), Dolemite Is My Name (2019), Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Stephen Dorff (Deacon Frost)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Stephen Dorff in “Blade.”
Actor Stephen Dorff played Deacon Frost in “Blade.” The main villain, Frost is a rebellious vampire who wants to overthrow the traditional vampire ruling council and awaken the ancient vampire god La Magra.
Age when the movie released: 25.
Selected movie credits before that: Backbeat (1994), I Shot Andy Warhol (1996), City of Industry (1997).
GettyAge now: 52.
Selected movie credits since: FeardotCom (2002), Leatherface (2017), Vampires of the Velvet Lounge (2026).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Kris Kristofferson (Abraham Whistler)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Kris Kristofferson in “Blade.”
Academy Award-nominated musician, songwriter, and actor Kris Kristofferson played Abraham Whistler in “Blade.” Whistler is Blade’s mentor, father figure, and weapons expert.
Age when the movie released: 62.
Selected movie credits before that: A Star Is Born (1976), Convoy (1978), Songwriter (1984).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2024 aged 88.
Selected movie credits since: Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (1999), Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005), He’s Just Not That Into You (2009).
Filmography info per IMDb.
N’Bushe Wright (Dr. Karen Jenson)
Above is a social media post with ten pictures of N’Bushe Wright in “Blade.”
Actress and dancer N’Bushe Wright played Dr. Karen Jenson in “Blade.” The eponymous hero helps Karen when she gets bitten by a vampire early in the movie, resulting in her becoming his ally, working on a cure for his bloodthirst.
Age when the movie released: 28.
Selected movie credits before that: Fresh (1994), Dead Presidents (1995), Squeeze (1997).
Above is a 2026 social media post by N’Bushe Wright with two recent pictures of her.
Age now: 56.
Selected movie credits since: 3 Strikes (2000), Eight Legged Freaks (2002), Civil Brand (2002).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Donal Logue (Quinn)
Above is a social media post by Donal Logue with a picture of him (R) alongside Stephen Dorff in “Blade.”
Canadian-American actor Donal Logue played Quinn in “Blade.” Quinn is a cocky vampire and one of Deacon Frost’s main henchmen with a grudge against Blade.
Age when the movie released: 32.
Selected movie credits before that: Gettysburg (1993), Little Women (1994), Jerry Maguire (1996).
Above is a 2026 social media post by Donal Logue with a recent picture of him.
Age now: 60.
Selected movie credits since: Ghost Rider (2007), Zodiac (2007), Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Udo Kier (Dragonetti)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Udo Kier in “Blade.”
German actor Udo Kier played Gitano Dragonetti in “Blade.” Dragonetti is an elder vampire and the aristocratic head of the old-world vampire ruling council that Deacon Frost wants to destroy.
Age when the movie released: 53.
Selected movie credits before that: Blood for Dracula (1974), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Johnny Mnemonic (1995).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2025 aged 81.
Selected movie credits since: Shadow of the Vampire (2000), Halloween (2007), Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich (2018).
Filmography info per IMDb.
While it’s great to see most of the core cast from “Blade” doing well, it’s sad that not all of them are still with us.
“Blade,” of course, spawned two sequels. They were 2002’s “Blade II” and 2004’s “Blade: Trinity.” While neither were as good as the original, both had their merits — and both contributed to a memorable trilogy that has a cult following to this day.
May Kris Kristofferson and Udo Kier rest in eternal peace.
