Today marks the 20th anniversary of Blade: Trinity, the third chapter in the Blade saga and, surprisingly, the film that launched Ryan Reynolds’ rise to stardom. While Wesley Snipes headlined as the iconic vampire hunter, it was Reynolds’ portrayal of the sarcastic, muscle-bound Hannibal King that truly stood out, hinting at the superstar he would become.
Before Blade: Trinity, Reynolds was best known for his sitcom days on Two Guys and a Girl and the college comedy Van Wilder. But this film showed Hollywood he could do more—balancing action-packed fight scenes with sharp comedic timing. With his relentless quips and a ripped physique, Reynolds proved he had both the charisma and chops to carry an action movie.
The movie itself wasn’t without drama. Behind-the-scenes tensions between Wesley Snipes and director David S. Goyer are infamous, but Reynolds managed to thrive amidst the chaos. It was here he honed the sarcastic, self-aware humor that would later define his portrayal of Deadpool.
While Blade: Trinity wasn’t a critical darling, it paved the way for Reynolds’ Hollywood ascent. Would we have Deadpool or Free Guy without Hannibal King’s snarky one-liners? Perhaps, but Blade: Trinity remains an essential chapter in the Ryan Reynolds origin story.
So, as we celebrate two decades of vampire slaying and witty comebacks, let’s tip our hats to the film that started it all. Love it or not, Blade: Trinity helped give us the Ryan Reynolds we know today—and for that, it deserves its place in cinematic history.
