The long-awaited Blade movie appears to have hit a dead end, marking a significant setback for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The project, which promised to feature Mahershala Ali as the iconic Daywalker, has faced numerous obstacles, leading to its current state of limbo. This development is particularly disappointing for fans eager to see Ali in the role.
Rapper and artist Flying Lotus recently took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the project's demise. He revealed that he was set to compose the film's score before it fell through. "I guess we are so far from it even being a possibility now but. Yeah I was signed on to write music for the new BLADE movie before it fell thru," he stated, adding, "Maybe it'll come around again but I doubt it. Would have been fun tho."
Adding to the series of disheartening updates, acclaimed costume designer Ruth E. Carter disclosed on The John Campea Show that she was slated to design costumes for Blade, which was initially planned to be set in the 1920s. This unique setting would have offered exciting opportunities for both costume and production design.
Actor Delroy Lindo, who was also attached to the project, shared his experience with Entertainment Weekly just days before Carter's announcement. He expressed enthusiasm about the inclusive approach Marvel initially took with the film. "When Marvel came to me, they seemed to be really interested in my input," Lindo said. "And in the various conversations I had with producers, the writer, the director at the time, it was all leading into being very inclusive. It was really exciting conceptually, but it was also exciting in terms of the character that was going to form. And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails."
Blade was first unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, with an intended release date in November of the current year. However, the film has seen multiple directors come and go, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, without any lasting commitment.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
View 18 Images
Despite the challenges, it's been only six months since Blade was removed from Marvel's release schedule in October 2024, with no new release date confirmed yet. However, MCU head Kevin Feige remains optimistic. In a November 2024 interview with Omelete, he emphasized the studio's commitment to the project: "We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala's take on him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still figuring out how it fits into our schedule, we let the audience know. You're all up to date on what's happening. But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU."
