Marvel fans are buzzing with excitement after fresh reports confirmed that Blade will appear in the upcoming Disney+ series Marvel Zombies. Interestingly, the vampire hunter won’t be voiced by Mahershala Ali, who is still set to headline the long-awaited Blade movie. Instead, actor Todd Williams has officially been announced as the voice of the Daywalker in the animated project.
Todd Williams Steps Into the Role of Blade
According to ComicBook.com, Todd Williams will voice Eric Brooks, also known as Blade, in Marvel Zombies. Williams is no stranger to Marvel, having previously voiced Rick Mason in the Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game. He also brings experience from the DC side, lending his voice to Mongul and other characters in Superman Returns: The Video Game.
This casting marks Williams’ first major Marvel animation role tied to the MCU and adds to his reputation as a versatile voice actor across superhero franchises.
Why Mahershala Ali Isn’t Voicing Blade
Mahershala Ali was first announced as the MCU’s Blade in 2019, but development on the solo movie has faced multiple delays and creative shake-ups. So far, Ali has only appeared as Blade in an Eternals post-credits scene—through an off-screen voice cameo. With the movie pushed back indefinitely, Ali is sitting out the Marvel Zombies project.
This is not unusual for Marvel, as several major MCU actors, including Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., did not return to voice their characters in What If…?. The decision doesn’t confirm a recast for the live-action Blade movie, but rather reflects Marvel’s approach to animated projects.
Blade’s Unique Role in Marvel Zombies
Williams’ Blade will debut in Marvel Zombies with a unique twist. Reports indicate that this version of the Daywalker will take on a role similar to Moon Knight in this alternate storyline, giving audiences a fresh perspective on the iconic vampire hunter. Notably, the character’s design in the show is modeled after Mahershala Ali, bridging the gap between the animated series and the upcoming live-action portrayal.
A Star-Studded Ensemble Against the Undead
Marvel Zombies continues the story first teased in What If…?, diving deeper into the apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. The series premieres on September 24, 2025, and carries a darker tone, with showrunner Bryan Andrews teasing, “All I can say is, blood will be spilled.”
The cast includes returning MCU stars such as Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Hailee Steinfeld (Kate Bishop), Awkwafina (Katy), Randall Park (Jimmy Woo), and Dominique Thorne (Ironheart). Together, they form a diverse group of heroes fighting the zombie plague.
The Legacy of Marvel Zombies
The Marvel Zombies concept originated in the comics, first appearing in Ultimate Fantastic Four before spinning off into a standalone series by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. The Disney+ adaptation builds on this legacy, placing familiar MCU characters in a horror-driven narrative unlike anything else in the franchise.
What Blade’s Animated Debut Means for the MCU
Blade’s appearance in Marvel Zombies marks the first proper introduction of the character in a Marvel Studios project, even if it’s animated. For fans awaiting Mahershala Ali’s full live-action debut, this animated version offers an exciting glimpse at how the Daywalker fits into the supernatural side of the MCU.
With Todd Williams officially voicing the character, Blade’s journey in Marvel’s expanding universe just got a thrilling new chapter.
