September 18, 2025 • 34 mins
The episode explores the iconic 1968 Dodge Charger from the Blade film trilogy, detailing its origins and impact. It highlights how the car was a cinematic invention, not from the comics, designed to embody Blade's intense character. The source also reveals the modifications and multiple vehicles used during production, emphasizing the Charger's role as a symbol of raw power and vampire-hunting grit. Furthermore, it discusses the car's elusive fate and enduring legacy in both muscle car culture and Hollywood history. Ultimately, the text positions the Charger as a cultural icon that transcends its function as a mere movie prop.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the deep dive. Today we're plunging into the
world of cinematic legends. You know, those rare mechanical beasts
that kind of transcend their role as just vehicles.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Oh yeah, they become characters themselves.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Exactly, instantly recognizable silhouettes burned into our memory. Think about
those cars. The moment you see them boom, you're in
that world with that hero or sometimes that villain.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
They're definitely more than just metal and rubber. They carry
so much narrative weight, their extensions of the story.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Absolutely, it's fascinating how a piece of you know, industrial
design could get tacked with so much meaning. These are
just props, they're vital to the whole mythology. They say
so much without a single line of dialogue.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Totally agree.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
And today our spotlight is on one serious powerhouse Blades
blacked out nineteen sixty eight Dodge Charger from the Blade
film trilogy.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yes, a classic.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
This isn't just any muscle car, right, It's a symbol
raw power, that vampire hunting grit. Let's be honest, just
undeniable automotive cool. It still turns heads. People build replicas
all the time.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It's such an inspired choice, really, and a key insight
here is the charger isn't just something Blade drives. It's
like a visual anchor. It grounds his whole supernatural world
in something tangible, something unmistakably American and well powerful.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yeah, it tells you who he is immediately.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Exactly communicates his whole persona right off the bat.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So our deep dive today, what we're going to do
is really try and extract the most potent nuggets of knowledge,
the key insights about this cinematic legend. Okay, we're going
to uncover its origins, which are actually kind of surprising,
maybe a bit murky, will dissect all those Hollywood modifications
like down to.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
The bolts, the fun stuff, and track.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Its journey which is pretty wild from a blockbuster film
set to well, it's current status has this modern day mystery.
You might think you know this car, maybe you even
think you know every rev of its engine.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
But there's always more to the story, exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
We've got some facts that might surprise you leave you
reving for more.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Well, the intriguing thing about these screen legends often isn't
just the final car you see, it's all the layers, right,
the decisions the engineering sometimes the compromises that go into
making them, and the behind the scenes reality of the
Blade Charger. It's honestly as compelling as any vampire hunt
in the movie.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Okay, let's peel back those layers then, right from the start,
because the actual origin story of Blade's iconic charger, it's
probably not what most fans expect, especially given his comic
book background.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Indeed, and this is often a revelation for people, that
sixty eight Dodge Charger it was never originally part of
Blade's character in the Marvel pomics, right, zero connection, there none.
This awesome machine was purely a cinematic invention, a deliberate
and frankly remarkably effective creative decision by the filmmakers. They
wanted to give him this modern, badass edge that would
(02:53):
really click with the nineties audience.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
That's so true, because when you actually go back and
look at Blade's conic roots, it's a totally different vibe.
He first showed up in Tomb of Dracular Volume one,
number ten, Yeah, back in seventy.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Three, classic era.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
And in those early comics he was very much as
street level hunter, a lone figure, you know, moving through
the shadows, He relied on his fists, his swords, steaks,
those unique throwing dives, and.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
His own hybrid strength of course being a day walker exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
The stories were all about his personal vendetta, his physical skill.
Cars they just didn't factor in at all. They weren't
part of his identity, his methods. He was more about stealth,
direct confrontation, not really high speed chases.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And if you think about that in the context of
adapting comics for movies, it really highlights a crucial point,
which is, well, the source material gives you a foundation, right,
but it's rarely this rigid luprint you have to follow.
Hollywood often steps in makes creative calls to shape a
character for the screen, especially for mass appeal makes sense.
So for the ninety eight Blade film, the director Stephen
(03:58):
Norrington and his team, they had this challenge, how do
you take this kind of cult comic hero and make
him a compelling contemporary action star.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
And the Charger was the answer.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
The Charger was the answer.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, and Mann did a payoff. They weren't just picking
a cool car randomly, though it definitely is.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Cool, oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Their goal was to really reflect Blades's no nonsense attitude.
As the sources put it, by blending that raw kind
of visceral Detroit muscle with his high tech vampire slaying gear.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
It's a great phrase, sums it up perfectly.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It was like this potent visual shorthand for him. Guy
a few words but immense power, and that choice it
wasn't just practical getting him around, It was transformative for
his whole on screen persona completely. The Charger instantly became
well an instant icon. It's forever tied to blade cinematic
legacy now, it's as much a part of him as
(04:54):
the trench coat.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
In the shade precisely, and that choice it helped integrate
Blade into this more can temporary, gritty urban world. It
made him feel less like just a fantasy creature and
more like this formidable presence rooted in you know, a
modern dark reality.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Yeah, grounded him a bit, it did.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It let the character connect deeply with audiences who maybe
didn't know the comics. It grounded him in this recognizable
aesthetic of power rebellion. Even it basically filled a gap,
gave him this tangible extension of his lethal persona in
a world where yeah, speed and intimidation matter.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It's really amazing when you think about it, this creative liberty,
this big deviation from the comics, actually enhanced the character,
and it totally cemented the car's place in pop culture.
I mean, look at us decades later, still talking about it,
digging into every detail. What does that tell us about adaptation?
You know, it suggests the best ones aren't always literal translations.
(05:48):
Sometimes there are bold reimaginations that really get the spirit
of the character and find new ways to show it.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
That's a great point and speaks volumes about visual storytelling
about character consistency. The charger wasn't just transport. It became
this visual metaphor for Blade's power, its relentless drive, an
embodiment of his will. Yeah, it's a prime example of
how one well chosen element, even if it wasn't in
the original stuff, can enrich a character so much that
(06:14):
it feels totally essential.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Now, couldn't imagine them without it exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
And the real insight here is how Hollywood shows that
the perception of power often beats the actual specs for storytelling.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
You know how so.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Well, it's like visual rhetoric, what the audience believes the
car can do, how powerful it seems is way more
crucial for the drama than its actual horsepower number on
a spec sheet. It's all about the illusion totally.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And speaking of that powerful visual, let's really get into
the guts of it, let's dissect the beast because okay,
it was a genuine nineteen sixty eight Dodge charger, right,
the real deal. But the car you saw tearing up
the screen, it was far from stock. This thing had
some serious Hollywood work done to get it ready for
the Vampire War.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
That's a crucial point. The core is, yes, it's a
legitimate sixty eight Dodge charger, it's part of that legendary
second generation B Body platform. That platform really defined the
muscle car era.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Can you elaborate on the B Body a bit for
maybe folks who aren't deep into mopar.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Sure, So the B Body was Chrysler's mid sized chassis
back then. What made it so great for muscle cars
was its strength, it's robustness. It was a unibody design
but really strong, and it could handle these massive V
eight engines like the four forties in Hemis exactly. You
could drop those monsters in without the chassis just twisting
itself into a pretzel under all that torque that made
(07:35):
it the perfect foundation for high performance builds for the
street and yeah for the movies too.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Okay, so strong bones, but what about the heart the engine?
I was just assumed, you know, bladesk it must have
had the biggest, baddest engine Chrysler offered, right like a HEMI.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Ah well no, not exactly. And this is where it
gets really interesting, where that cinematic deception comes in. Even
some hardcore fans miss this sometimes.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Okay, tell me.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
During the film of the first two Blade movies, the
main hero charger actually had a three eighty three Magnum
V eight under the hood.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
A three eighty three really, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Now, don't get me wrong. A three eighty three magnum
is a solid engine puts out around three hundred and
thirty horse power. Nothing to sneeze up back then. Some
power decent, yes, but as our sources point out, it
was not as ferocious as the bigger options like the
four to forty V eight, which is around three hundred
and seventy five horse power, or the absolute legend the
four to twenty six HEMI.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
The Elephant engine that's the one.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Known for a staggering four hundred and twenty five horse power.
Those are the engines you usually found in the top
tier charge of Arteam models Blades car for filming didn't
quite have that ultimate grunt.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Well, I honestly always pictured it with a HEMI rumble.
That's the power of suggestion, I guess, And.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
That's exactly where the illusion comes in. During filming, the
car's presence was, like we said, more about style than
raw speed. Okay, it's cinematic presence. That look. The sound design,
that editing made it seem faster, more powerful than it
technically was. With three eighty three, Hollywood often prioritizes the
visual impact what the audience perceives, over the precise mechanical
(09:07):
specs during the shoot itself.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Makes sense from a production standpoint too.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Maybe absolutely a real hemy, while incredibly powerful, often cost
a lot more, and it could be per mental much
harder to work with on a film set. They need
specialized mechanics, more frequent tuning. That all affects schedules and budgets, right, right,
So it looked.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
The part, even if it wasn't the absolute top dog
unto the hood during filming. But here's where the story
gets really satisfying, especially for car nets and purists. After
Blade Trinity wrapped up in two thousand and four, the
main hero car was sold to a private owner up
in Vancouver, Okay, and that owner, clearly an enthusiast, fixed
this little discrepancy. They actually swapped in a four hundred
(09:49):
and forty cubic INCHV.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Eight AH, so they upgraded it.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
They did. This upgrade boosted its power significantly, making the
car even more of a beast. It finally brought the
car's reality much closer to its implied on screen persona
of being this absolute powerhouse that's fantastic. So in its
post Hollywood life, it finally became the monster it pretended
to be on screen.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
That's a key detail, isn't it. It shows how even
when a car is picked for looks and symbolism, that
underlying authenticity still really matters to fans to future owners.
That upgrade kind of completed the car story, blending film
history with real gearhead passion.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Yeah, totally shows the dedication, But the mods didn't stop,
or rather start with the engine swap later on. Even
before that, for the movies, the production team really leaned
into a specific look. They went for this eighties street
machine culture vibe.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Absolutely. It wasn't random, No, it was deliberate.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
It wasn't just about looking cool, though, did. It was
about projecting this specific, aggressive attitude for Blade, making the
car a perfect visual match. Right.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
The design was meticulous. It had to be an extension
of Blade, so they outfit it with things like oversized
tires on centerline aluminum, instantly recognizable look exactly. Those kinds
of details immediately signal a custom built, powerful machine, not
something stock. The wheels and tires alone tell you it's modified.
It means business.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
And they wentn't even further than that. It had that
removable fiberglass hood, right, which was actually borrowed from a
sixty nine Plymouth Roadrunner.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
That's right, another mo par legend. And yeah, that hood
really added to its aggressive, almost predatory profile. It completely
changes the charger's front end look it does.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
And then there were those auxiliary headlights mounted behind the
grill that gave it this incredibly distinct kind of glowing,
menacing look. Hinted at that high tech nocturnal mission.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Blade was on super distinctive and this next detail is
particularly telling for performance fans. They added traction.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
Bars Okay, explain traction bars for people maybe less familiar.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Sure, so, when you have a powerful V eight putting
down a lot of torque, especially when you launch hard,
the rear axle actually tries to rotate upwards. This can
make the tires hop and lose grip. It's called wheel.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Hot right bad for acceleration, very bad.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Traction bars are essentially metal bars that connect the axle
housing to the frame or subframe. They physically prevent that
twisting motion, keeping the pires planted firmly so they can
transfer all that power effectively, so practical performance, but also
looks tough exactly. They definitely enhanced its aggressive, low slung appearance,
making it look ready to tear up the street. But
(12:25):
they also signaled a serious performance intent, even if the
engine wasn't maxed out yet. Gotcha. Combine that with the
stealthy black paint job and that four forty six pack.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
Hood scoo, which visually implies a really powerful engine setup, right,
even if it wasn't actually a six pack under there
during filming.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Precisely, the scoop suggests that high performance multicarburetors set up
so the whole esthetic package the stands the scoop the color.
It just perfectly complimented blades grim vampire hunting vibe.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
It's so clear these mods weren't just cosmetic afterthoughts. They
were designed intentionally to make the charger look and feel
like you could genuinely chase down the undeaded hunter Boba
rom It creates this powerful visual promise of performance. It
was like an extension of Blades's own fighting style, brutal, effective, intimidating.
It's the ultimate example of Hollywood crafting an image, building
(13:17):
an illusion that serves the story.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
And what really stands out when you look at this
blend of real car heritage and movie magic is how
every single detail, from choosing that strong b body platform
to the specific eighties street machine mods, the stands, the lights,
it all served to reinforce the character.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, all fits together.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
It's not just a cool car. It's a character in
its own right, shaped by practical needs, sure, but also
by this artistic vision focused on delivering a visceral punch
to the audience. That intentionality, that's what lifts it from
just being a prop to being a true cultural icon.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
It really is. But okay, here's another layer to that
Hollywood illusion. And it's something fans often don't realize, especially
when you get a patched to the image of the
Blade Charger.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Ah, yes, the multiplicity.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Exactly. What we often see is this single iconic car
driving through the whole trilogy. Well, in reality, it was
a fleet. Multiple cars were.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Used, and this is totally standard practice in the industry.
It's not unique to Blade at all Hollywood productions, especially
action movies, they routinely use several identical looking vehicles, each
one has a specific job. Well, you need stunt cars
that can handle jumps, crashes, high speed stuff without necessarily
needing to look perfect or even survive. Then you need
(14:32):
hero cars for the close ups, the beauty shots where
every detail has to be pristine, and often interior cars
that are specifically rigged up with camera mounts inside, maybe
parts of the roof or doors removed for better camera angles.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
So one car just can't do it all or survive.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
At all, exactly, especially not across three movies with increasing
action sequences.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Okay, so while we picture the Blade Charger the production,
reality involves several different charges across the trilogy. How did breakdown?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Well, for the first film Blade in ninety eight, they
seem to have primarily relied on one main hero car
that was the star you know, got the close ups,
the key driving scenes kept in.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Good shape makes sense for the first outing.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Then by Blade two in two thousand and two, the
needs changed a bit. Our sources mentioned they used what
was described as a barely running stand in for some
limited scenes Bear We Run, Yeah, which suggests its role
was probably less about actual driving and more about just
being parked in the background or maybe for static shots.
It highlights the practicalities right budget resource allocation. Why use
(15:36):
your prime hero car if it just needs to sit
there for.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
A second, good point, save the wear and tear exactly.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
And then for the third film, Blade Trinity in two
thousand and four, things got even more complex. That production
involved three distinct cars that we know of three. Okay,
you had two hero cars. One was specifically for exterior shots,
making sure it looked perfect and powerful for those big
cinematic moments, the beauty shots. The second hero car was
set up just for interior scenes, so likely had camera
(16:04):
mounts built in, maybe parts of the interior stripped out
special lighting rigs, all designed to make filming. Wesley snipes
inside the car easier and look better.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Okay, two hero cars? What was the third?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
And then number three was the jump car?
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Oh boy, it's ominous it was.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
This car was explicitly bought or built with the intention
of being destroyed during filming. It was for the big,
high impact stunts where you know the car isn't coming
back in one piece disposable. Pretty much in action movies,
some cars are just destined for sacrifice for that one
spectacular shot.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
And the fate of that jump car. Yeah, it really
underscores how temporary these movie props can be, doesn't it
Once their job is done?
Speaker 2 (16:42):
It really does.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
After production wrapped on Trinity, that jump car reportedly met
a rather well stark end. It was apparently used by
a local fire department for Jaws of Life practice.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Wow. From movie stunt car to rescue training dummy.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Talk about a dramatic career shift. It almost feels like
a metaphor for the Hollywood machine, doesn't it, Use it up,
throw it away. It's a vivid reminder that these amazing
things we see on screen often have very short, very
dramatic lives and then just disappear or literally get cut apart.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
It truly is, and it brings up an interesting question
for us for the audience, does knowing about the multiple cars,
knowing their different conditions, maybe even knowing one was destroyed,
does that change how you feel about the iconic single
car you see on screen. That's a good question for many.
I think the illusion of that one indestructible, always perfect
(17:36):
car is part of the fantasy, part of the magic,
but the reality it's actually a testament to the incredible planning,
the logistics, the resource management that goes into making these
huge movies.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Yeah, peeling back those layers, Yeah, it makes you appreciate
the craft even more.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
It does seeing all the moving parts and literal cars
involved in creating that seamless powerful experience.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
And all those cars, all those modify locations we talked about,
they weren't just random or purely practical. You were saying,
they were meticulously designed right to mirror Blade himself.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Absolutely. That's a profoundly crucial point. If you zoom out
a bit, the car was conceived as way more than
just transport. It was truly a physical extension of Blade,
reinforcing his look, his themes in a way that just clicked. Visually.
Every customization, big or small, had a purpose in telling
Blade's story without him needing to say a word.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
You can really see it in some specific design echoes
like blade signature weapon Almost are those UV lights.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Right, the vampire Killers, those.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Brilliant flashes that just turned vamps to dust? Super memorable
visual Well, the charger's auxiliary headlights, the ones mounted behind
the grill, They were clearly meant to visually reference those
UV lights.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Ah, interesting connection.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
It wasn't just a coincidence. It created this direct symbolic link.
The car's intimidating front end felt equipped for the same fight,
you know, like it was part of his arsenal.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That makes perfect sense. And what about its stamp, that
aggressive posture.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Yeah, that imposing, low slung, powerful look, It wasn't just
for show. It was intentionally designed to suggest this thing
could literally ram through a horde of undead.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Uh huh, yeah, you could see it doing that.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
It reflected Blade's own approach to combat, direct, no nonsense,
incredibly forceful. Blade isn't subtle, neither is his car. The
whole visual language of the Chargers just screened brutal efficiency,
unwavering intensity, like an armored fist on wheels. Very well
put and then, of course, the most obvious link, the
blacked out aspetic can't miss that the Charger's all black
(19:35):
scheme perfectly matched Blade's own look, the leather, the shades.
It created this cohesive visual identity that was instantly recognizable.
That synergy just locked everything together, costume, vehicle character. It
all screamed relentless, shadowy intensity. It wasn't just a car
he happened to drive. It felt like a second skin,
(19:56):
almost a mobile extension of him, communicating his readiness for battle,
his whole attitude, without any dialogue needed.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
And that deep integration that's what makes the Charger feel
inseparable from Blade, not just a prop. It's a fantastic
example of how those subtle or maybe not so subtle
details can profoundly enrich the character, enrich the storytelling. It
makes the Charger truly iconic, unforgettable in the Blade universe.
It's like automotive character development.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Automotive character development. I love that phrase, that's exactly what
it is. It makes you really think, how much does
that intentional design elevate a car beyond just being a
cool ride?
Speaker 2 (20:32):
A huge amount.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
It's a masterclass in using every piece of the puzzle
But speaking of the car after the filming, the mods,
the stunts, what actually happened to it, specifically the main
hero car, because that journey after the trilogy wrapped has
turned into this whole modern mystery spark so much fascination.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Oh. Absolutely, this post production mystery has only amplified its legend,
added this whole new layer of intrigue speculation among fans.
It's really a testament to its impact that people are
still talking about where it is now.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Let's get into that. The initial sale, the disappearance after
Blade Trinity finished up in two thousand and four, the
main hero car, the Star. It wasn't put in museum
or locked in a studio vault.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
No, what happened?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
It was sold in two thousand and six. Apparently it
went for forty thousand dollars via Craigslist rex list.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
You're kidding o.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Craigslist to a private owner up in Vancouver. Can you
believe that selling that car on Craigslist. It's almost unbelievable
for such a piece of movie history.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Wow, that speaks to a different time, doesn't it. Before?
Maybe high end auction houses really dominated the market for
props like this as a whole layer of weirdness to
its story.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
It really does, and since that sale in six its
whereabouts have become this huge subject of fan interest, intense
interest underground. Pretty much no confirmed sightings of the actual
hero car have surfaced since then, which leads to all
these theories. Right, something that's hit the way in a
private collection. Maybe someone knows exactly what they have and
(22:03):
wants to keep.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
It pristine, secret, understandable.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Perhaps Others worry it's potentially lost at time, maybe neglected
in a garage somewhere, maybe even dismantled for parts without
realizing its history. Who knows. It's continued elusiveness just deepens
the legend, makes it almost mythological.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
It becomes this automotive ghost story.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Kind of, and it sounds like a real treasure hunt
for enthusiasts, a detective story. And here's where it gets
really granular, showing the dedication of these fans. Okay, the
car's vehicle identification number, the VIN, is reportedly well known
among diehard blade enthusiasts. They track it like it's the
Holy Grail.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Wow, that's commitment.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Incredible commitment. Some even claim the car hasn't been officially
titled or registered since the nineteen seventies, which only adds
more intrigue about its legal status, its physical status. Is
it just totally off the grid, operating in the shadows
like Blade himself?
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Ha ha? Maybe has it just been sitting in a
garage quietly gathering dust and value? The mystery just keeps.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Getting deeper, it really does. And this whole situation it
raises a critical point about authenticity, doesn't it about providence
for these big ticket movie props in the resale market? Oh?
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Absolutely, the demand for genuine pieces of movie history is
huge and it's a lucrative market. But establishing that unbroken
chain of ownership, having verifiable proof, like a matching vin
that's paramount.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Yeah, to prove it's the real deal, exactly.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
It's what separates the true hero car from a replica
or a stunt double or just a similar looking car.
That documentation is crucial for legitimacy and frankly for value.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
And this demand, combined with the Blade legacy, has led
to some interesting moments cars popping up publicly that added
fuel to the fire, like auctions exactly. In both twenty
twenty and twenty twenty two, a nineteen sixty eight Dodge
charger specifically built as Wesley Snipe's Blade Charger, showed up
at Heritage Auctions generated a ton of buzz among collectors.
(23:58):
Imagine seeing that.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Listing that would definitely get attention. But was it the car? Ah?
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Well, that's the big question, and it's where this skepticism
comes in, especially for those dedicated fans tracking that specific VIN.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Right.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
While these auction cars were marketed as the car from
the ninety eight film, a lot of fans and mopar
experts were doubtful. A major sticking point was the auction
house apparently failing to provide the VIN for verification against
the known hero car's number.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Ooh, that's a red flag in the collectibles world, especially
for something this unique, huge.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Red flag Without clear, undisputed proof, it casts a lot
of doubt. It can really affect the price, and it
certainly left the enthusiast community questioning the authenticity understandably so.
But you know, even with those authenticity debates swirling around
the auction cars, their appearance alone highlights the chargers enduring value.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Its desirability true shows the demand is there for sure.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Estimates back then suggested it could fetch several times its
two thousand and six sail price of forty thousand dollars,
which is a massive jump that's driven by two big trends, right,
the boom and classic muscle car values and the massive
growth in Marvel movie memorabilia collecting.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
And Blade has that special place, doesn't it. It was early
Marvel success before the MCU as we know, it really
took off.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Exactly long before the MCU dominated everything. So this charger
has this unique historical significance within that whole comic book
movie landscape. It gives it extra cachet.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
So what is this whole ongoing mystery, the hunt, the auctions,
the vin tracking. What does it tell us about cinematic legacy,
about fandom?
Speaker 1 (25:31):
I think it shows the power of these on screen moments,
doesn't it, and the lengths fans will go to connect
with them. The hunt for this car is practically a
detective story in itself, it really is.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
It mirrors the thrill of the movies in a way,
adds this interactive, real world layer to its cultural impact.
It creates a narrative that just keeps going long after
the credits rolled.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Yeah, proving it Sometimes the legend of an object can
grow even stronger when it's hidden. When it's absent, the
mystery makes it.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Richer, absolutely does. It's like the car itself has this
ongoing character arc extending way beyond the films, which brings
us nicely to its enduring legacy right in both muscle
car culture and cinema culture.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
Yeah, because this car, it's so much more than just
a movie prop. Now it's a genuine cultural icon. It's
left this undeniable mark on car enthusiasts and superhero cinema.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
And it's fascinating how its popularity directly led to tangible things, collectibles,
fan creations, extending its reach right into people's homes, onto
their shelves. That's where the influence becomes really concrete.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Oh, definitely. One of the clearest examples that one hundred
and twenty five scale die cast model kit from Revel.
They put it in their Cars of the Stars.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Series, right, I remember that one.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
And it wasn't just a generic sixty eight charger kit.
It was actually a modified reissue of the kit they
did for the charger from Bullet, but Revel retooled parts,
gave it different wheels, a new hood, specifically to mimic
blades car.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
That shows real demand for this specific version exactly.
Speaker 1 (27:02):
But interestingly, the Revel model kit kept a detail that
wasn't quite movie accurate. Yeah, it had a vinyl textured
roof pattern molded into the.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
Plastic ah, whereas the movie car had a smooth painted roof.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Right, So model builders, the real purist, often had to
meticulously sand that texture down to get the smooth, sleek,
all black look from the film.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Huh. A labor of love for accuracy. Probably a cost
saving thing for Revel using older tooling maybe, but for
the modelers it became part of the process.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Almost like a badge of honor, right carefully prepping that
roof to get it perfect. It shows how much those
specific details of blades Charger really resonated with people totally.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
That attention to detail from fans is amazing, and even.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
With that little challenge that Revel kit, it's still a
sought after collectible today. It gives fans a way to
own a tangible piece of Blade history, even if they
can't find the real elusive car. It's a slice of
the magic for their display shelf.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
And if we place this car in the wider context
muscle cars, movies, the Blade Charger stands in this really
rich tradition of chargers on screen, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Oh yes, it's not alone. You've got the epic chase
and bullet with the black charger versus the Mustang. You've
got the General Lee and the Dukes of Hazzard instantly recognizable.
The charger already had this strong screen pedigree.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
It did, but Blade added this unique, darker, maybe cooler
chapter to that legacy.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Absolutely, it's rollin Blade really cemented its status. Is that
quintessential movie bad guy, tough guy ride, you know, often
associated with anti heroes, formidable antagonists, characters of this serious edge.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
It just looks mean, it does, and its appeal isn't
just limited to movie fans. It holds serious weight with
mopar enthusiasts. That's a fiercely loyal community dedicated to Chrysler, Dodge,
Plymouth cars.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
That's a crucial point because the sixty eight charger itself,
even without Blade, is a legend. That sleek coke bottle styling,
the hidden headlights, the raw power options. It makes it
a perennial favorite for restorers, for collectors.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
An automotive masterpiece in its own right. Just gorgeous design,
great engineering, for its time. The movie connection just elevates
it even further, adds this unique story layer to an
already beloved classic, best of both worlds for.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
A lot of people, for sure, And today that fan
community is still buzzing. Blay fans, Mopar fans. They celebrate
this car constantly online forums like Dodge Charter dot com
subreddits like our Dodge, They're full of discussions.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
What are they talking about?
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Specs? Authenticity debates the challenges restoring one or maybe recreating
the blade look. People actively debate whether that famous vin
could actually unlock its current location. Others share tips on
finding the right parts getting the stance right for their
own builds. It's this living, ongoing conversation shows its lasting.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
Impact, and that tells us something really important about its
deep cinematic and cultural impact, doesn't it. Well. The Charger
symbolizes that whole era when musclecars ruled the roads and
Hollywood really started embracing them not just as background but
as characters, central driving forces in the store.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Yeah, cars became stars too, and the sixty eight model
itself was a huge hit for Dodge. Peak muscle car
era sold what ninety six thousand units, including seventeen thousand
of the high performance art models.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Huge numbers, and its versatility was key. You could get
it with anything from a respectable three eighteen V eight
putting out maybe two hundred and thirty horse power, all
the way up to that monstrous four twenty six Hemi.
That range made it perfect for customization, perfect for a
build like Blades. It could embody that power exactly.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
It was the perfect car to represent a character needing
raw power and a distinct look. And those specific movie modifications,
borrowing from that eighty street machine culture, they gave it
this timeless appeal that still works today.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
It really does. It tapped into an aesthetic that somehow
transcends decades. It's classic muscle, but with this modern, aggressive edge.
The fact that people are still trying to replicate that
specific look today says volumes about its enduring design.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
It's also important to remember what it represents about movie making,
though the challenges right the practical side, yeah, using multiple cars,
deliberately destroying the jump car, selling off the hero car.
It highlights how transient these amazing props can be, the
demanding life cycle of a film vehicle. And yet, and yet,
the Charger's legend just persists. It proves that some stories,
(31:17):
some objects, just refuse to be forgotten. They don't disappear
into the archives.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
So ultimately, why does it endure. What's the magic formula
for the Blade Charger.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
I think it's that perfect blend, as the sources say,
of automotive heritage and cinematic swagger.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Yeah, that nails it.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
It was an already legendary car, yeah, but its roll
in Blade just elevated. It made it this cultural touchstone
for fans of both classic cars and at the time
a burgeoning world of comic book movies. It became bigger
than the sum of its already.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Awesome parts and those unique modifications. We keep coming back
to the UV style lights, the roadrunner hood. They weren't
just slapped on, They felt organic. They made it Blades's car,
perfectly matching his style, his methods totally.
Speaker 1 (31:59):
And then you add the enduring mystery of where it
is now that just keeps people talking, keeps them speculating.
It adds to the mystique and sure as the story
keeps evolving.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
And for the car fans, the mopar folks, the Charger
itself is this incredible canvas for creativity. It inspires real
world builds, restorations, tributes. It shows how powerfully film can
spark tangible, real world passion. It fuels whole communities.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
Definitely, and when you connect it to the bigger picture,
the history of cool movie cars, the Blade Charger stands
right up there, sure proudly alongside icons like the Bullet Mustang,
the Mad Max Interceptor, maybe even the Batmobile.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
In its own way, it holds its own and its
role in a Marvel franchise, especially before the MCU took
over the world. That gives it significant historical way. It
makes it a real trailblazer in that genre.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
Yeah, ahead of the curve. And just fundamentally, it's raw power,
that sleek design. The whole modified vibe is just a
natural fit for Blade, a character who perfectly balances that
brute force with high tech precision.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
It's more than vehicle, isn't it. It really is this
cross cultural phenomenon. It perfectly marries car passion with great
cinematic storytelling, and it left this indelible mark on pop culture.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Well, we've certainly covered a lot of ground. We've journeyed
through the surprising kind of layered history of Blades's nineteen
sixty eight Dodge Charger from its unexpected Hollywood.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
Bird skipping the comics entirely.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
Right, to its meticulous character driven modifications, the gritty realities
of using multiple cars and movie production, and its current
status as this legendary, elusive artifact. We've really seen how
a genuine musclecar icon was transformed into an even grander
symbol of vampire hunting power, perfectly mirroring its enigmatic driver.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
It's a truly remarkable case study, isn't it How a
film can take an already iconic object and just elevate
it into something more granting it this life, this narrative
that goes way beyond the screen. It becomes almost a
living thing in the minds of fans.
Speaker 1 (33:56):
Absolutely the Charger, you know, much like Blade himself, it
just refuses to fade into the shadows. Its story reminds
us that sometimes the most enduring characters and maybe objects too,
are the ones that combine that raw power with this
irresistible air of mystery.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Yeah, leaves you always wanting to know more.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
Exactly, so, as you reflect on this truly iconic ride,
consider this final thought, how often do the machines we
see on screen become maybe even more enduring than the
stories they're meant to serve, taking on a life a
legend all their own.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Hmm, that's a great question.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
What other cinematic objects resonate with you on that kind
of level, almost like their characters themselves. Think about that,
and we'll catch you on the next deep dive.
Welcome to the deep dive. Today we're plunging into the
world of cinematic legends. You know, those rare mechanical beasts
that kind of transcend their role as just vehicles.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Oh yeah, they become characters themselves.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Exactly, instantly recognizable silhouettes burned into our memory. Think about
those cars. The moment you see them boom, you're in
that world with that hero or sometimes that villain.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
They're definitely more than just metal and rubber. They carry
so much narrative weight, their extensions of the story.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Absolutely, it's fascinating how a piece of you know, industrial
design could get tacked with so much meaning. These are
just props, they're vital to the whole mythology. They say
so much without a single line of dialogue.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Totally agree.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
And today our spotlight is on one serious powerhouse Blades
blacked out nineteen sixty eight Dodge Charger from the Blade
film trilogy.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yes, a classic.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
This isn't just any muscle car, right, It's a symbol
raw power, that vampire hunting grit. Let's be honest, just
undeniable automotive cool. It still turns heads. People build replicas
all the time.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
It's such an inspired choice, really, and a key insight
here is the charger isn't just something Blade drives. It's
like a visual anchor. It grounds his whole supernatural world
in something tangible, something unmistakably American and well powerful.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yeah, it tells you who he is immediately.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Exactly communicates his whole persona right off the bat.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So our deep dive today, what we're going to do
is really try and extract the most potent nuggets of knowledge,
the key insights about this cinematic legend. Okay, we're going
to uncover its origins, which are actually kind of surprising,
maybe a bit murky, will dissect all those Hollywood modifications
like down to.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
The bolts, the fun stuff, and track.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Its journey which is pretty wild from a blockbuster film
set to well, it's current status has this modern day mystery.
You might think you know this car, maybe you even
think you know every rev of its engine.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
But there's always more to the story, exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
We've got some facts that might surprise you leave you
reving for more.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Well, the intriguing thing about these screen legends often isn't
just the final car you see, it's all the layers, right,
the decisions the engineering sometimes the compromises that go into
making them, and the behind the scenes reality of the
Blade Charger. It's honestly as compelling as any vampire hunt
in the movie.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Okay, let's peel back those layers then, right from the start,
because the actual origin story of Blade's iconic charger, it's
probably not what most fans expect, especially given his comic
book background.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Indeed, and this is often a revelation for people, that
sixty eight Dodge Charger it was never originally part of
Blade's character in the Marvel pomics, right, zero connection, there none.
This awesome machine was purely a cinematic invention, a deliberate
and frankly remarkably effective creative decision by the filmmakers. They
wanted to give him this modern, badass edge that would
(02:53):
really click with the nineties audience.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
That's so true, because when you actually go back and
look at Blade's conic roots, it's a totally different vibe.
He first showed up in Tomb of Dracular Volume one,
number ten, Yeah, back in seventy.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Three, classic era.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
And in those early comics he was very much as
street level hunter, a lone figure, you know, moving through
the shadows, He relied on his fists, his swords, steaks,
those unique throwing dives, and.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
His own hybrid strength of course being a day walker exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
The stories were all about his personal vendetta, his physical skill.
Cars they just didn't factor in at all. They weren't
part of his identity, his methods. He was more about stealth,
direct confrontation, not really high speed chases.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And if you think about that in the context of
adapting comics for movies, it really highlights a crucial point,
which is, well, the source material gives you a foundation, right,
but it's rarely this rigid luprint you have to follow.
Hollywood often steps in makes creative calls to shape a
character for the screen, especially for mass appeal makes sense.
So for the ninety eight Blade film, the director Stephen
(03:58):
Norrington and his team, they had this challenge, how do
you take this kind of cult comic hero and make
him a compelling contemporary action star.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
And the Charger was the answer.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
The Charger was the answer.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, and Mann did a payoff. They weren't just picking
a cool car randomly, though it definitely is.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Cool, oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Their goal was to really reflect Blades's no nonsense attitude.
As the sources put it, by blending that raw kind
of visceral Detroit muscle with his high tech vampire slaying gear.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
It's a great phrase, sums it up perfectly.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
It was like this potent visual shorthand for him. Guy
a few words but immense power, and that choice it
wasn't just practical getting him around, It was transformative for
his whole on screen persona completely. The Charger instantly became
well an instant icon. It's forever tied to blade cinematic
legacy now, it's as much a part of him as
(04:54):
the trench coat.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
In the shade precisely, and that choice it helped integrate
Blade into this more can temporary, gritty urban world. It
made him feel less like just a fantasy creature and
more like this formidable presence rooted in you know, a
modern dark reality.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Yeah, grounded him a bit, it did.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It let the character connect deeply with audiences who maybe
didn't know the comics. It grounded him in this recognizable
aesthetic of power rebellion. Even it basically filled a gap,
gave him this tangible extension of his lethal persona in
a world where yeah, speed and intimidation matter.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It's really amazing when you think about it, this creative liberty,
this big deviation from the comics, actually enhanced the character,
and it totally cemented the car's place in pop culture.
I mean, look at us decades later, still talking about it,
digging into every detail. What does that tell us about adaptation?
You know, it suggests the best ones aren't always literal translations.
(05:48):
Sometimes there are bold reimaginations that really get the spirit
of the character and find new ways to show it.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
That's a great point and speaks volumes about visual storytelling
about character consistency. The charger wasn't just transport. It became
this visual metaphor for Blade's power, its relentless drive, an
embodiment of his will. Yeah, it's a prime example of
how one well chosen element, even if it wasn't in
the original stuff, can enrich a character so much that
(06:14):
it feels totally essential.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Now, couldn't imagine them without it exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
And the real insight here is how Hollywood shows that
the perception of power often beats the actual specs for storytelling.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
You know how so.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Well, it's like visual rhetoric, what the audience believes the
car can do, how powerful it seems is way more
crucial for the drama than its actual horsepower number on
a spec sheet. It's all about the illusion totally.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And speaking of that powerful visual, let's really get into
the guts of it, let's dissect the beast because okay,
it was a genuine nineteen sixty eight Dodge charger, right,
the real deal. But the car you saw tearing up
the screen, it was far from stock. This thing had
some serious Hollywood work done to get it ready for
the Vampire War.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
That's a crucial point. The core is, yes, it's a
legitimate sixty eight Dodge charger, it's part of that legendary
second generation B Body platform. That platform really defined the
muscle car era.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Can you elaborate on the B Body a bit for
maybe folks who aren't deep into mopar.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Sure, So the B Body was Chrysler's mid sized chassis
back then. What made it so great for muscle cars
was its strength, it's robustness. It was a unibody design
but really strong, and it could handle these massive V
eight engines like the four forties in Hemis exactly. You
could drop those monsters in without the chassis just twisting
itself into a pretzel under all that torque that made
(07:35):
it the perfect foundation for high performance builds for the
street and yeah for the movies too.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Okay, so strong bones, but what about the heart the engine?
I was just assumed, you know, bladesk it must have
had the biggest, baddest engine Chrysler offered, right like a HEMI.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Ah well no, not exactly. And this is where it
gets really interesting, where that cinematic deception comes in. Even
some hardcore fans miss this sometimes.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Okay, tell me.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
During the film of the first two Blade movies, the
main hero charger actually had a three eighty three Magnum
V eight under the hood.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
A three eighty three really, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Now, don't get me wrong. A three eighty three magnum
is a solid engine puts out around three hundred and
thirty horse power. Nothing to sneeze up back then. Some
power decent, yes, but as our sources point out, it
was not as ferocious as the bigger options like the
four to forty V eight, which is around three hundred
and seventy five horse power, or the absolute legend the
four to twenty six HEMI.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
The Elephant engine that's the one.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Known for a staggering four hundred and twenty five horse power.
Those are the engines you usually found in the top
tier charge of Arteam models Blades car for filming didn't
quite have that ultimate grunt.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Well, I honestly always pictured it with a HEMI rumble.
That's the power of suggestion, I guess, And.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
That's exactly where the illusion comes in. During filming, the
car's presence was, like we said, more about style than
raw speed. Okay, it's cinematic presence. That look. The sound design,
that editing made it seem faster, more powerful than it
technically was. With three eighty three, Hollywood often prioritizes the
visual impact what the audience perceives, over the precise mechanical
(09:07):
specs during the shoot itself.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Makes sense from a production standpoint too.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Maybe absolutely a real hemy, while incredibly powerful, often cost
a lot more, and it could be per mental much
harder to work with on a film set. They need
specialized mechanics, more frequent tuning. That all affects schedules and budgets, right, right,
So it looked.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
The part, even if it wasn't the absolute top dog
unto the hood during filming. But here's where the story
gets really satisfying, especially for car nets and purists. After
Blade Trinity wrapped up in two thousand and four, the
main hero car was sold to a private owner up
in Vancouver, Okay, and that owner, clearly an enthusiast, fixed
this little discrepancy. They actually swapped in a four hundred
(09:49):
and forty cubic INCHV.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Eight AH, so they upgraded it.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
They did. This upgrade boosted its power significantly, making the
car even more of a beast. It finally brought the
car's reality much closer to its implied on screen persona
of being this absolute powerhouse that's fantastic. So in its
post Hollywood life, it finally became the monster it pretended
to be on screen.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
That's a key detail, isn't it. It shows how even
when a car is picked for looks and symbolism, that
underlying authenticity still really matters to fans to future owners.
That upgrade kind of completed the car story, blending film
history with real gearhead passion.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Yeah, totally shows the dedication, But the mods didn't stop,
or rather start with the engine swap later on. Even
before that, for the movies, the production team really leaned
into a specific look. They went for this eighties street
machine culture vibe.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Absolutely. It wasn't random, No, it was deliberate.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
It wasn't just about looking cool, though, did. It was
about projecting this specific, aggressive attitude for Blade, making the
car a perfect visual match. Right.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
The design was meticulous. It had to be an extension
of Blade, so they outfit it with things like oversized
tires on centerline aluminum, instantly recognizable look exactly. Those kinds
of details immediately signal a custom built, powerful machine, not
something stock. The wheels and tires alone tell you it's modified.
It means business.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
And they wentn't even further than that. It had that
removable fiberglass hood, right, which was actually borrowed from a
sixty nine Plymouth Roadrunner.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
That's right, another mo par legend. And yeah, that hood
really added to its aggressive, almost predatory profile. It completely
changes the charger's front end look it does.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
And then there were those auxiliary headlights mounted behind the
grill that gave it this incredibly distinct kind of glowing,
menacing look. Hinted at that high tech nocturnal mission.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Blade was on super distinctive and this next detail is
particularly telling for performance fans. They added traction.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
Bars Okay, explain traction bars for people maybe less familiar.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Sure, so, when you have a powerful V eight putting
down a lot of torque, especially when you launch hard,
the rear axle actually tries to rotate upwards. This can
make the tires hop and lose grip. It's called wheel.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Hot right bad for acceleration, very bad.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Traction bars are essentially metal bars that connect the axle
housing to the frame or subframe. They physically prevent that
twisting motion, keeping the pires planted firmly so they can
transfer all that power effectively, so practical performance, but also
looks tough exactly. They definitely enhanced its aggressive, low slung appearance,
making it look ready to tear up the street. But
(12:25):
they also signaled a serious performance intent, even if the
engine wasn't maxed out yet. Gotcha. Combine that with the
stealthy black paint job and that four forty six pack.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
Hood scoo, which visually implies a really powerful engine setup, right,
even if it wasn't actually a six pack under there
during filming.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Precisely, the scoop suggests that high performance multicarburetors set up
so the whole esthetic package the stands the scoop the color.
It just perfectly complimented blades grim vampire hunting vibe.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
It's so clear these mods weren't just cosmetic afterthoughts. They
were designed intentionally to make the charger look and feel
like you could genuinely chase down the undeaded hunter Boba
rom It creates this powerful visual promise of performance. It
was like an extension of Blades's own fighting style, brutal, effective, intimidating.
It's the ultimate example of Hollywood crafting an image, building
(13:17):
an illusion that serves the story.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
And what really stands out when you look at this
blend of real car heritage and movie magic is how
every single detail, from choosing that strong b body platform
to the specific eighties street machine mods, the stands, the lights,
it all served to reinforce the character.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, all fits together.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
It's not just a cool car. It's a character in
its own right, shaped by practical needs, sure, but also
by this artistic vision focused on delivering a visceral punch
to the audience. That intentionality, that's what lifts it from
just being a prop to being a true cultural icon.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
It really is. But okay, here's another layer to that
Hollywood illusion. And it's something fans often don't realize, especially
when you get a patched to the image of the
Blade Charger.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Ah, yes, the multiplicity.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Exactly. What we often see is this single iconic car
driving through the whole trilogy. Well, in reality, it was
a fleet. Multiple cars were.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Used, and this is totally standard practice in the industry.
It's not unique to Blade at all Hollywood productions, especially
action movies, they routinely use several identical looking vehicles, each
one has a specific job. Well, you need stunt cars
that can handle jumps, crashes, high speed stuff without necessarily
needing to look perfect or even survive. Then you need
(14:32):
hero cars for the close ups, the beauty shots where
every detail has to be pristine, and often interior cars
that are specifically rigged up with camera mounts inside, maybe
parts of the roof or doors removed for better camera angles.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
So one car just can't do it all or survive.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
At all, exactly, especially not across three movies with increasing
action sequences.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Okay, so while we picture the Blade Charger the production,
reality involves several different charges across the trilogy. How did breakdown?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Well, for the first film Blade in ninety eight, they
seem to have primarily relied on one main hero car
that was the star you know, got the close ups,
the key driving scenes kept in.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Good shape makes sense for the first outing.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Then by Blade two in two thousand and two, the
needs changed a bit. Our sources mentioned they used what
was described as a barely running stand in for some
limited scenes Bear We Run, Yeah, which suggests its role
was probably less about actual driving and more about just
being parked in the background or maybe for static shots.
It highlights the practicalities right budget resource allocation. Why use
(15:36):
your prime hero car if it just needs to sit
there for.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
A second, good point, save the wear and tear exactly.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
And then for the third film, Blade Trinity in two
thousand and four, things got even more complex. That production
involved three distinct cars that we know of three. Okay,
you had two hero cars. One was specifically for exterior shots,
making sure it looked perfect and powerful for those big
cinematic moments, the beauty shots. The second hero car was
set up just for interior scenes, so likely had camera
(16:04):
mounts built in, maybe parts of the interior stripped out
special lighting rigs, all designed to make filming. Wesley snipes
inside the car easier and look better.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Okay, two hero cars? What was the third?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
And then number three was the jump car?
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Oh boy, it's ominous it was.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
This car was explicitly bought or built with the intention
of being destroyed during filming. It was for the big,
high impact stunts where you know the car isn't coming
back in one piece disposable. Pretty much in action movies,
some cars are just destined for sacrifice for that one
spectacular shot.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
And the fate of that jump car. Yeah, it really
underscores how temporary these movie props can be, doesn't it
Once their job is done?
Speaker 2 (16:42):
It really does.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
After production wrapped on Trinity, that jump car reportedly met
a rather well stark end. It was apparently used by
a local fire department for Jaws of Life practice.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Wow. From movie stunt car to rescue training dummy.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Talk about a dramatic career shift. It almost feels like
a metaphor for the Hollywood machine, doesn't it, Use it up,
throw it away. It's a vivid reminder that these amazing
things we see on screen often have very short, very
dramatic lives and then just disappear or literally get cut apart.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
It truly is, and it brings up an interesting question
for us for the audience, does knowing about the multiple cars,
knowing their different conditions, maybe even knowing one was destroyed,
does that change how you feel about the iconic single
car you see on screen. That's a good question for many.
I think the illusion of that one indestructible, always perfect
(17:36):
car is part of the fantasy, part of the magic,
but the reality it's actually a testament to the incredible planning,
the logistics, the resource management that goes into making these
huge movies.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
Yeah, peeling back those layers, Yeah, it makes you appreciate
the craft even more.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
It does seeing all the moving parts and literal cars
involved in creating that seamless powerful experience.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
And all those cars, all those modify locations we talked about,
they weren't just random or purely practical. You were saying,
they were meticulously designed right to mirror Blade himself.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Absolutely. That's a profoundly crucial point. If you zoom out
a bit, the car was conceived as way more than
just transport. It was truly a physical extension of Blade,
reinforcing his look, his themes in a way that just clicked. Visually.
Every customization, big or small, had a purpose in telling
Blade's story without him needing to say a word.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
You can really see it in some specific design echoes
like blade signature weapon Almost are those UV lights.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Right, the vampire Killers, those.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Brilliant flashes that just turned vamps to dust? Super memorable
visual Well, the charger's auxiliary headlights, the ones mounted behind
the grill, They were clearly meant to visually reference those
UV lights.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Ah, interesting connection.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
It wasn't just a coincidence. It created this direct symbolic link.
The car's intimidating front end felt equipped for the same fight,
you know, like it was part of his arsenal.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That makes perfect sense. And what about its stamp, that
aggressive posture.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Yeah, that imposing, low slung, powerful look, It wasn't just
for show. It was intentionally designed to suggest this thing
could literally ram through a horde of undead.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Uh huh, yeah, you could see it doing that.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
It reflected Blade's own approach to combat, direct, no nonsense,
incredibly forceful. Blade isn't subtle, neither is his car. The
whole visual language of the Chargers just screened brutal efficiency,
unwavering intensity, like an armored fist on wheels. Very well
put and then, of course, the most obvious link, the
blacked out aspetic can't miss that the Charger's all black
(19:35):
scheme perfectly matched Blade's own look, the leather, the shades.
It created this cohesive visual identity that was instantly recognizable.
That synergy just locked everything together, costume, vehicle character. It
all screamed relentless, shadowy intensity. It wasn't just a car
he happened to drive. It felt like a second skin,
(19:56):
almost a mobile extension of him, communicating his readiness for battle,
his whole attitude, without any dialogue needed.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
And that deep integration that's what makes the Charger feel
inseparable from Blade, not just a prop. It's a fantastic
example of how those subtle or maybe not so subtle
details can profoundly enrich the character, enrich the storytelling. It
makes the Charger truly iconic, unforgettable in the Blade universe.
It's like automotive character development.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Automotive character development. I love that phrase, that's exactly what
it is. It makes you really think, how much does
that intentional design elevate a car beyond just being a
cool ride?
Speaker 2 (20:32):
A huge amount.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
It's a masterclass in using every piece of the puzzle
But speaking of the car after the filming, the mods,
the stunts, what actually happened to it, specifically the main
hero car, because that journey after the trilogy wrapped has
turned into this whole modern mystery spark so much fascination.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Oh. Absolutely, this post production mystery has only amplified its legend,
added this whole new layer of intrigue speculation among fans.
It's really a testament to its impact that people are
still talking about where it is now.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Let's get into that. The initial sale, the disappearance after
Blade Trinity finished up in two thousand and four, the
main hero car, the Star. It wasn't put in museum
or locked in a studio vault.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
No, what happened?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
It was sold in two thousand and six. Apparently it
went for forty thousand dollars via Craigslist rex list.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
You're kidding o.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Craigslist to a private owner up in Vancouver. Can you
believe that selling that car on Craigslist. It's almost unbelievable
for such a piece of movie history.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Wow, that speaks to a different time, doesn't it. Before?
Maybe high end auction houses really dominated the market for
props like this as a whole layer of weirdness to
its story.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
It really does, and since that sale in six its
whereabouts have become this huge subject of fan interest, intense
interest underground. Pretty much no confirmed sightings of the actual
hero car have surfaced since then, which leads to all
these theories. Right, something that's hit the way in a
private collection. Maybe someone knows exactly what they have and
(22:03):
wants to keep.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
It pristine, secret, understandable.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Perhaps Others worry it's potentially lost at time, maybe neglected
in a garage somewhere, maybe even dismantled for parts without
realizing its history. Who knows. It's continued elusiveness just deepens
the legend, makes it almost mythological.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
It becomes this automotive ghost story.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Kind of, and it sounds like a real treasure hunt
for enthusiasts, a detective story. And here's where it gets
really granular, showing the dedication of these fans. Okay, the
car's vehicle identification number, the VIN, is reportedly well known
among diehard blade enthusiasts. They track it like it's the
Holy Grail.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Wow, that's commitment.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Incredible commitment. Some even claim the car hasn't been officially
titled or registered since the nineteen seventies, which only adds
more intrigue about its legal status, its physical status. Is
it just totally off the grid, operating in the shadows
like Blade himself?
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Ha ha? Maybe has it just been sitting in a
garage quietly gathering dust and value? The mystery just keeps.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Getting deeper, it really does. And this whole situation it
raises a critical point about authenticity, doesn't it about providence
for these big ticket movie props in the resale market? Oh?
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Absolutely, the demand for genuine pieces of movie history is
huge and it's a lucrative market. But establishing that unbroken
chain of ownership, having verifiable proof, like a matching vin
that's paramount.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
Yeah, to prove it's the real deal, exactly.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
It's what separates the true hero car from a replica
or a stunt double or just a similar looking car.
That documentation is crucial for legitimacy and frankly for value.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
And this demand, combined with the Blade legacy, has led
to some interesting moments cars popping up publicly that added
fuel to the fire, like auctions exactly. In both twenty
twenty and twenty twenty two, a nineteen sixty eight Dodge
charger specifically built as Wesley Snipe's Blade Charger, showed up
at Heritage Auctions generated a ton of buzz among collectors.
(23:58):
Imagine seeing that.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Listing that would definitely get attention. But was it the car? Ah?
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Well, that's the big question, and it's where this skepticism
comes in, especially for those dedicated fans tracking that specific VIN.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Right.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
While these auction cars were marketed as the car from
the ninety eight film, a lot of fans and mopar
experts were doubtful. A major sticking point was the auction
house apparently failing to provide the VIN for verification against
the known hero car's number.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Ooh, that's a red flag in the collectibles world, especially
for something this unique, huge.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Red flag Without clear, undisputed proof, it casts a lot
of doubt. It can really affect the price, and it
certainly left the enthusiast community questioning the authenticity understandably so.
But you know, even with those authenticity debates swirling around
the auction cars, their appearance alone highlights the chargers enduring value.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
Its desirability true shows the demand is there for sure.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Estimates back then suggested it could fetch several times its
two thousand and six sail price of forty thousand dollars,
which is a massive jump that's driven by two big trends, right,
the boom and classic muscle car values and the massive
growth in Marvel movie memorabilia collecting.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
And Blade has that special place, doesn't it. It was early
Marvel success before the MCU as we know, it really
took off.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Exactly long before the MCU dominated everything. So this charger
has this unique historical significance within that whole comic book
movie landscape. It gives it extra cachet.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
So what is this whole ongoing mystery, the hunt, the auctions,
the vin tracking. What does it tell us about cinematic legacy,
about fandom?
Speaker 1 (25:31):
I think it shows the power of these on screen moments,
doesn't it, and the lengths fans will go to connect
with them. The hunt for this car is practically a
detective story in itself, it really is.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
It mirrors the thrill of the movies in a way,
adds this interactive, real world layer to its cultural impact.
It creates a narrative that just keeps going long after
the credits rolled.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Yeah, proving it Sometimes the legend of an object can
grow even stronger when it's hidden. When it's absent, the
mystery makes it.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Richer, absolutely does. It's like the car itself has this
ongoing character arc extending way beyond the films, which brings
us nicely to its enduring legacy right in both muscle
car culture and cinema culture.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
Yeah, because this car, it's so much more than just
a movie prop. Now it's a genuine cultural icon. It's
left this undeniable mark on car enthusiasts and superhero cinema.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
And it's fascinating how its popularity directly led to tangible things, collectibles,
fan creations, extending its reach right into people's homes, onto
their shelves. That's where the influence becomes really concrete.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Oh, definitely. One of the clearest examples that one hundred
and twenty five scale die cast model kit from Revel.
They put it in their Cars of the Stars.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Series, right, I remember that one.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
And it wasn't just a generic sixty eight charger kit.
It was actually a modified reissue of the kit they
did for the charger from Bullet, but Revel retooled parts,
gave it different wheels, a new hood, specifically to mimic
blades car.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
That shows real demand for this specific version exactly.
Speaker 1 (27:02):
But interestingly, the Revel model kit kept a detail that
wasn't quite movie accurate. Yeah, it had a vinyl textured
roof pattern molded into the.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
Plastic ah, whereas the movie car had a smooth painted roof.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Right, So model builders, the real purist, often had to
meticulously sand that texture down to get the smooth, sleek,
all black look from the film.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Huh. A labor of love for accuracy. Probably a cost
saving thing for Revel using older tooling maybe, but for
the modelers it became part of the process.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Almost like a badge of honor, right carefully prepping that
roof to get it perfect. It shows how much those
specific details of blades Charger really resonated with people totally.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
That attention to detail from fans is amazing, and even.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
With that little challenge that Revel kit, it's still a
sought after collectible today. It gives fans a way to
own a tangible piece of Blade history, even if they
can't find the real elusive car. It's a slice of
the magic for their display shelf.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
And if we place this car in the wider context
muscle cars, movies, the Blade Charger stands in this really
rich tradition of chargers on screen, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Oh yes, it's not alone. You've got the epic chase
and bullet with the black charger versus the Mustang. You've
got the General Lee and the Dukes of Hazzard instantly recognizable.
The charger already had this strong screen pedigree.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
It did, but Blade added this unique, darker, maybe cooler
chapter to that legacy.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
Absolutely, it's rollin Blade really cemented its status. Is that
quintessential movie bad guy, tough guy ride, you know, often
associated with anti heroes, formidable antagonists, characters of this serious edge.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
It just looks mean, it does, and its appeal isn't
just limited to movie fans. It holds serious weight with
mopar enthusiasts. That's a fiercely loyal community dedicated to Chrysler, Dodge,
Plymouth cars.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
That's a crucial point because the sixty eight charger itself,
even without Blade, is a legend. That sleek coke bottle styling,
the hidden headlights, the raw power options. It makes it
a perennial favorite for restorers, for collectors.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
An automotive masterpiece in its own right. Just gorgeous design,
great engineering, for its time. The movie connection just elevates
it even further, adds this unique story layer to an
already beloved classic, best of both worlds for.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
A lot of people, for sure, And today that fan
community is still buzzing. Blay fans, Mopar fans. They celebrate
this car constantly online forums like Dodge Charter dot com
subreddits like our Dodge, They're full of discussions.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
What are they talking about?
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Specs? Authenticity debates the challenges restoring one or maybe recreating
the blade look. People actively debate whether that famous vin
could actually unlock its current location. Others share tips on
finding the right parts getting the stance right for their
own builds. It's this living, ongoing conversation shows its lasting.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
Impact, and that tells us something really important about its
deep cinematic and cultural impact, doesn't it. Well. The Charger
symbolizes that whole era when musclecars ruled the roads and
Hollywood really started embracing them not just as background but
as characters, central driving forces in the store.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Yeah, cars became stars too, and the sixty eight model
itself was a huge hit for Dodge. Peak muscle car
era sold what ninety six thousand units, including seventeen thousand
of the high performance art models.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Huge numbers, and its versatility was key. You could get
it with anything from a respectable three eighteen V eight
putting out maybe two hundred and thirty horse power, all
the way up to that monstrous four twenty six Hemi.
That range made it perfect for customization, perfect for a
build like Blades. It could embody that power exactly.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
It was the perfect car to represent a character needing
raw power and a distinct look. And those specific movie modifications,
borrowing from that eighty street machine culture, they gave it
this timeless appeal that still works today.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
It really does. It tapped into an aesthetic that somehow
transcends decades. It's classic muscle, but with this modern, aggressive edge.
The fact that people are still trying to replicate that
specific look today says volumes about its enduring design.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
It's also important to remember what it represents about movie making,
though the challenges right the practical side, yeah, using multiple cars,
deliberately destroying the jump car, selling off the hero car.
It highlights how transient these amazing props can be, the
demanding life cycle of a film vehicle. And yet, and yet,
the Charger's legend just persists. It proves that some stories,
(31:17):
some objects, just refuse to be forgotten. They don't disappear
into the archives.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
So ultimately, why does it endure. What's the magic formula
for the Blade Charger.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
I think it's that perfect blend, as the sources say,
of automotive heritage and cinematic swagger.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Yeah, that nails it.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
It was an already legendary car, yeah, but its roll
in Blade just elevated. It made it this cultural touchstone
for fans of both classic cars and at the time
a burgeoning world of comic book movies. It became bigger
than the sum of its already.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Awesome parts and those unique modifications. We keep coming back
to the UV style lights, the roadrunner hood. They weren't
just slapped on, They felt organic. They made it Blades's car,
perfectly matching his style, his methods totally.
Speaker 1 (31:59):
And then you add the enduring mystery of where it
is now that just keeps people talking, keeps them speculating.
It adds to the mystique and sure as the story
keeps evolving.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
And for the car fans, the mopar folks, the Charger
itself is this incredible canvas for creativity. It inspires real
world builds, restorations, tributes. It shows how powerfully film can
spark tangible, real world passion. It fuels whole communities.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
Definitely, and when you connect it to the bigger picture,
the history of cool movie cars, the Blade Charger stands
right up there, sure proudly alongside icons like the Bullet Mustang,
the Mad Max Interceptor, maybe even the Batmobile.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
In its own way, it holds its own and its
role in a Marvel franchise, especially before the MCU took
over the world. That gives it significant historical way. It
makes it a real trailblazer in that genre.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
Yeah, ahead of the curve. And just fundamentally, it's raw power,
that sleek design. The whole modified vibe is just a
natural fit for Blade, a character who perfectly balances that
brute force with high tech precision.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
It's more than vehicle, isn't it. It really is this
cross cultural phenomenon. It perfectly marries car passion with great
cinematic storytelling, and it left this indelible mark on pop culture.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Well, we've certainly covered a lot of ground. We've journeyed
through the surprising kind of layered history of Blades's nineteen
sixty eight Dodge Charger from its unexpected Hollywood.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
Bird skipping the comics entirely.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
Right, to its meticulous character driven modifications, the gritty realities
of using multiple cars and movie production, and its current
status as this legendary, elusive artifact. We've really seen how
a genuine musclecar icon was transformed into an even grander
symbol of vampire hunting power, perfectly mirroring its enigmatic driver.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
It's a truly remarkable case study, isn't it How a
film can take an already iconic object and just elevate
it into something more granting it this life, this narrative
that goes way beyond the screen. It becomes almost a
living thing in the minds of fans.
Speaker 1 (33:56):
Absolutely the Charger, you know, much like Blade himself, it
just refuses to fade into the shadows. Its story reminds
us that sometimes the most enduring characters and maybe objects too,
are the ones that combine that raw power with this
irresistible air of mystery.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Yeah, leaves you always wanting to know more.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
Exactly, so, as you reflect on this truly iconic ride,
consider this final thought, how often do the machines we
see on screen become maybe even more enduring than the
stories they're meant to serve, taking on a life a
legend all their own.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Hmm, that's a great question.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
What other cinematic objects resonate with you on that kind
of level, almost like their characters themselves. Think about that,
and we'll catch you on the next deep dive.
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