As far as clichés are concerned, “all good things come to those who wait” takes on a whole new meaning where it relates to theMarvel Cinematic Universe’sstill-sidelinedBlade.It’s been almost five years since the MCU panel at the 2019 Comic-Con revealed that the Oscar-winningMahershala Aliwould portray the half-human, half-vampire titular character in an upcoming film. And Ali’s representation, lawyer Shelby Weiser, can’t get over the fact that the movie still hasn’t come to fruition all these years later. Weiser said (perThe Hollywood Reporter):
That deal was in 2019, and they still haven’t shot it, which is pretty much the craziest thing in my professional experience.
The originalBlade(1998) starred Wesley Snipes and led to a pair of sequels:Blade II(2002) andBlade: Trinity(2004). While MCU fans best know Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth, it’s worth noting that theDeadpoolstar first teamed up with Snipes' version of the half-human, half-vampire inBlade III. Now, flash forward 15 years.
Blade (1998)
The famed Comic-Con of 2019 featured a Marvel panel in Hall H that whet the appetites of die-hard MCU fans with a full slate of highly anticipated entries (Black Widow, Thor: Love and Thunder, Hawkeye, What If…?, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Loki, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Eternals), all of which have already seen the light of day except for Ali’s announcedBladereimagining.
Mahershala Ali Was ‘Really Encouraged,’ More Setbacks for Blade
Mahershala Ali was coming fresh off of his Academy Award win (Best Supporting Actor) — the second of his career — for his work inthe Oscar-winningGreen Book(2018) when the President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, revealed that the actor would follow in the footsteps of Wesley Snipes as the newBlade. Back in December of 2023, Ali seemed both excited and encouraged as he updated the progress being made on his version ofBlade. Ali said in an interview withEntertainment Weekly:
We’re working on it. That’s the best I could tell you. I’m really encouraged with the direction of the project. I think we’ll be back at it relatively soon.
Blade’s MCU Delays & Production Issues Explained
Blade has encountered many production delays and while some fans might think it is simple, there is more than slaying vampires the MCU movie must do.
Sadly, theAli’sBladefilm suffered another setbackthis week when it was reported that Yann Demange is no longer directing the MCU project. It’s just another in a long line of departures, which includes Bassam Tariq. Tariq was originally hired to helm the movie, which was then slated to hit theaters in 2023.Fantastic Four’sEric Pearson remains the writer on theBladeproject.
Marvel’s website still listsBlade’srelease date as August 18, 2025, at the time of this writing.
