When it comes to elite Hollywood talent, Mahershala Ali is up there with the Bradley Coopers and Ryan Goslings of the world. Like his contemporaries, the man has released acclaimed project after acclaimed project and continues to align himself with great works (he stars in Jurassic World Rebirth with Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey this summer).
Though he had been working for years prior, Mahershala Ali rose to prominence in Netflix's House of Cards, playing the elusive, ultra sketchy and super manipulative Remy Danton. And while that particular character drew a lot of mixed feelings from viewers, Ali's subtle performance made him that much more appealing.
I personally couldn't stand Remy, but when it came to following his journey and watching him untangle the several webs he often weaved for himself, I was right there.
Following House of Cards, his next major role came in Moonlight and, well, where do we even begin with that film? It was emotionally gripping, beautifully made and had an impactful message. What more could you ask for? Ali's total screen time was 20 minutes, but it was so powerful and so poignant that it earned him a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor.
He would continue his successful streak with his role as Donald Shirley in Green Book, for which he won both the Golden Globe and Oscar in 2019.
Still, with a resumé that competes with some of the industry's heavyweights, I can't help but feel that there just isn't enough appreciation for the talent that is Mahershala Ali. He has proven to be a dynamite on the big and small screens and he's a clear winner with the critics.
With each project he has taken on, not only has he brought a grounded sense of depth, but he has also proven to be an asset at each turn. Even his not so mainstream projects, such as 2020's We Are The Dream: The Kids Of The Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest, have been successful. Ali received an Emmy Award for serving as producer on the documentary.
And if we're looking at the more superficial aspects, the man shows up to every red carpet dressed like the movie star he is. He is handsome, with a megawatt smile that lights up his entire face and a clear charmer in interviews. A look at this cute interaction and it's clear his costars also adore him. He is the full package.
Ali is currently promoting Jurassic World Rebirth. And while the film is yet to hit theaters, early viewers are saying he carries his own in the movie, which is not a shocker.
One of the hot topics fans have been pinning about is whether or not we will ever see him in Blade. Talks that Ali would be taking over as the vampire-slaying hero first began back in 2019 when famed producer Kevin Feige announced he would be donning the famous leather cloak and taking over the role originated by Wesley Snipes for a new generation.
Since then, though, the film has faced some setbacks and two directors signed on then left the project. Ali himself recently addressed the buzz while at the New York premiere of Rebirth.
"Call Marvel," he told Variety. "Let them know I'm ready."
While talking with The Hollywood Reporter, Ali revealed, "I'm just taking it a day at a time. I'm doing the best work I can ... I would love for Blade to happen. We'll see. I don't know where Marvel is at right now. I'm just looking for the next great part, I really am."
Now, the film could very well be in its early days; Marvel is, after all, notoriously tight-lipped about their projects. However, given the fact that even Ali himself genuinely seems to be out of the loop, it's safe to assume the project is at a stalemate currently.
Regardless, fans, including me, who have followed his career trajectory are dying to see more. Any actor who can face off against the likes of Robin Wright, Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey and other mega actors deserves to be in more things and I think Mahershala Ali just does not get enough credit for the caliber of work he puts out.