SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for "The Trial," the latest episode of What We Do in the Shadows.
No wonder Wesley Snipes wants to return to his role as Blade! According to "The Trial," the latest episode of What We Do in the Shadows, Snipes himself isn't terribly far removed from his famous Marvel role. As it turns out, Snipes is a member of the Vampiric Council.
When Nandor, Nadja and Laszlo were accused of murdering Baron Afanas, they were brought before the Vampiric Council. Before their trial started, director Taika Waititi's character Viago went around the room to introduce the star-studded list of guest stars. "Calling in by Skype, we have Wesley over there -- the Daywalker," he said.
"He is a vampire killer!" Paul Reubens protested.
"Hey, he is half-vampire," Tilda Swinton insisted. "His opinion still counts."
"Yeah, well, I'm only listening to half his opinion," Danny Trejo responded. "Look at him in the sunlight!"
"Showing off," Jemaine Clement's Vladislav agreed.
Of course, due to some terrible lag, Snipes' opinion didn't count for much anyway. By the time he caught up to their conversation, the trial was over and the three main characters were condemned to death by sunlight.
Though this is Snipes' first role on What We Do in the Shadows, it isn't the first time he has been mentioned in this universe. In the 2014 film of the same name, Viago attempted to go to the Unholy Masquerade dressed as Blade. Deacon quickly shut him down, telling him that it was inappropriate to dress as a vampire hunter for the occasion.
In both his eponymous 1998 film and Marvel Comics, Blade is a half-vampire superhero who hunts the creatures that killed his mother and bestowed their dark gifts on him. Because he is only part vampire, he has many of their powers -- including superhuman strength and enhanced senses -- but was spared weaknesses like sunlight intolerance. As such, he is called "Daywalker," since he isn't harmed by sunlight.
By calling him "Daywalker" and "half-vampire," What We Do in the Shadows playfully suggests Blade wasn't so much a role, but a reality for its star. It also gives a whole new meaning to the scene from the film's reference to the cult-classic Marvel movie.
Airing Wednesdays at 10 pm ET/PT on FX, What We Do in the Shadows stars Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Matt Berry, Harvey Guillen and Doug Jones. Taika Waititi directs the series and co-produces alongside Jemaine Clement, Scott Rudin, Paul Simms and Garrett Basch.