Mahershala Ali To Play Half-Human, Half-Vampire 'Blade'

Cnn.com: Marvel made a host of super announcements at its panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Saturday, but saved arguably the biggest news on the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for last.

Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Blade, previously played by Wesley Snipes. Ali was on hand for the announcement and given a hero's welcome as he revealed the news by wearing a "Blade" hat.

Blade is a character in the Marvel universe who is half-human, half-vampire and hunts down the undead. The character also was adapted to the hit movie "Blade" that starred Snipes in 1998. Snipes went on to reprise the role again in 2002 and 2004.

Ali, who has won Academy Awards for his roles in "Green Book" and "Moonlight," most recently starred in HBO's latest installment of "True Detective."