The prospect of an Oscar-clad Mahershala Ali headlining a "Blade" movie seemed as surefire a hit as any venture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Yet, amidst delays, departures, and a severe test of the star's endurance, the project appears to be adrift in limbo. Six years have elapsed since Ali was introduced on stage at San Diego Comic-Con to announce his role in the forthcoming "Blade" film, and now, the actor offers an update that hints at the movie being ensnared in a creative quagmire, despite his unwavering commitment to portraying the character.
Currently, Ali is shining in "Jurassic World Rebirth," and during his red carpet appearances, he has been frequently quizzed about the status of "Blade." To Variety, he succinctly said, "Call Marvel. I'm ready. Let them know I'm ready." When talking to The Hollywood Reporter, he added, "I would love for it to happen, but honestly, I don't know where Marvel stands right now."
The actor's apparent exclusion from the film's behind-the-scenes developments does little to inspire optimism. "Blade" lacks a confirmed release date, and since 2022, the film has seen the departure of two directors. Initially, the movie was penciled in for a November 2023 release, then shifted to November 2025. Now, it seems to have been pushed over a cliff, its fate uncertain.
Adding another layer to this saga, David S. Goyer, the screenwriter behind the original "Blade" films, commented on the delays this week, revealing he even attempted to lend a helping hand to Marvel but was politely declined. On the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Goyer opined, "In my mind, 'Blade' is a straightforward story. It's not intricate. When embarking on such a film, one must distill its core promise." He further elaborated, "It should feature mind-blowing action sequences, be terrifyingly chilling, potentially carry an R-rating, and above all, remain uncomplicated."
Speaking to Variety, Goyer shared, "My agent reached out to Marvel, asking if they needed any assistance. They responded warmly, saying, 'We adore you, but we think we've cracked it now and are in a good place.' Subsequently, the latest setback occurred. So, no, they haven't reached out to me."
Goyer penned all three Wesley Snipes-starring "Blade" films and directed "Trinity." Released in 1998, those movies laid significant groundwork for the modern superhero genre, predating "Spider-Man" and "X-Men" by a considerable margin, and long before the MCU found itself struggling to bring this "simple story" to life, despite having an Oscar winner eagerly awaiting their call. At this juncture, it seems as though Marvel may never get it together.
