Sinners, the 2025 vampire drama starring Michael B. Jordan, has a surprising link to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The connection lies in the film’s wardrobe. Costumes that were originally made for Marvel’s long-delayed Blade reboot found a new purpose on the set of Sinners.
Sev Ohanian, the producer of Sinners, shared the behind-the-scenes story during a recent interview. He revealed that Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter, who was working on the Blade film, had already created a large number of 1930s-era outfits. Blade was planned to feature scenes set in the past, which happened to match the time period of Sinners.
Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, has faced multiple delays. The character was originally played by Wesley Snipes in a popular trilogy from 1998 to 2004. While the reboot is still expected to happen, the film had not started shooting at the time Carter finished designing the costumes.
Sinners is set in the year 1932 during the Great Depression. When the time came to start filming, the production needed vintage costumes right away. Carter had a warehouse full of clothes that fit the time period perfectly.
“We had to shoot the movie quickly,” Ohanian said. “Luckily, she had everything ready from her work on Blade. Marvel was kind enough to let us buy the clothes at a fair price.”
The producer stressed that these outfits were not used for Sinners’ lead actors, including Jordan. Instead, the costumes were given to extras and background performers. He responded to speculation that Mahershala Ali-sized costumes were used for stars by saying the reused items were never meant for principal characters.
“It was all about the background actors,” Ohanian explained. “They are the ones wearing the Blade costumes.”
Ruth Carter’s creative reuse of the costumes helped Sinners maintain period accuracy while staying on budget. Carter is well known for her detailed costume work, winning Academy Awards for her work on the Black Panther films. Her efforts brought authenticity to the look and feel of Sinners, enhancing its gritty 1930s setting.
Marvel’s willingness to share resources also played a part in the success. Though Blade has not yet started filming, the materials created for it were not wasted. Instead, they contributed to the visual storytelling of another major film.
The news highlights the often unseen collaboration between studios and creators. It also shows how unused production assets can be repurposed in smart, sustainable ways. By using the costumes from Blade, Sinners gained both style and savings.
This unusual connection between two very different vampire films shows how Hollywood continues to find ways to adapt and reuse resources. While fans wait for the new Blade to hit theaters, part of its legacy has already appeared on screen—just in a different story.
