Since 2019, Mahershala Ali has been destined to embody the iconic Marvel character in a project that has recently encountered directorial turbulence. As the new 'Blade' film undergoes its protracted incubation, Marvel Studios' president, Kevin Feige, has shed some light on the studio's reboot strategy. In a promotional interview with BlackTree TV ahead of the July 26 release of Disney's 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' Feige was quizzed about the ongoing development of 'Blade,' which was initially announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 with Ali at the helm as the titular half-vampire.
When asked if Disney's release of 'Deadpool & Wolverine' with an R-rating would alter the approach to 'Blade,' given that previous iterations starring Wesley Snipes and kicking off with the original 1998 'Blade' were all R-rated, Feige pondered thoughtfully. "That's a valid point," he replied. "For the past two years, our focus has been on crafting the perfect 'Blade' film, unhurriedly. After all, there were some stellar 'Blade' films in the past—all rated R. So, I believe that, just like Deadpool, Blade's character inherently demands a certain maturity in its storytelling."
The new 'Blade' garnered headlines last month with the news that director Yann Demange had stepped down from the project. This follows the previous setback when filmmaker Bassam Tariq exited over creative disagreements, with production originally slated for fall 2022. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ali's attorney, Shelby Weiser, spoke candidly about the protracted production process, remarking, "That deal was struck in 2019, and yet the film remains unshot. It's the most extraordinary delay I've encountered in my professional career."
