In 2019, the Marvel fandom was filled with excitement when Kevin Feige took the stage and announced that Mahershala Ali, a two-time Oscar-winning powerhouse, would play ‘Blade‘, the legendary vampire slayer, bringing the Daywalker into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The news felt like a game-changer, as an A-list actor was set to take on one of Marvel’s darkest and most stylish heroes. However, now, nearly six years later, fans are still waiting and so is Ali.
Mahershala Ali Is Clueless About MCU’s Blade Progress
At the premiere of his latest film ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, Mahershala Ali offered a short but telling update when asked about the long-delayed Blade movie “Call Marvel,” he said. “Let them know I’m ready.” It was a statement heavy with both resolve and frustration. After years of creative stops and starts, multiple directors hired and then let go, key cast members walking away, and repeated production delays, it’s hard not to feel the weariness creeping in.
Related: ‘Blade’ Filmmakers Are Developing New Script With Darker R-Rated Tone For The Film
Despite all this, Ali remains committed. “I would love for Blade to happen; we’ll see, I don’t know where Marvel is at right now,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. Ali even acknowledged the grueling nature of modern blockbuster filmmaking, especially when a movie is shot in fragments across countries and months. “You can do one scene in three countries over four months,” he explained. “As an actor, that’s not necessarily enjoyable because it’s difficult, it’s hard to make sense of.”
Marvel Rejected OG ‘Blade’ Director’s Offer Of Helping With The Film
While fans grow anxious and Mahershala remains poised, another figure from Blade’s past stepped into the spotlight recently, David S. Goyer, the original screenwriter for Wesley Snipes’ Blade trilogy. Goyer revealed that months ago, amid one of Blade’s many developmental hiccups, he reached out to Marvel Studios to offer help.
In case you missed it: How Wesley Snipes’ Return Complicated MCU’s ‘Blade’ Reboot
According to Goyer, “I had so many people that would say to me. ‘Dude, would you get in there on Blade? Would you just get in there?’” Encouraged by fans and peers alike, Goyer’s agent contacted Marvel to lend his experience. However, Marvel, confident in their own direction at the time, politely declined. “They said, ‘We love you, but we think we’ve cracked it now, and we’re in a good place.’ And then the latest thing happened,” Goyer noted.
That “latest thing,” of course, refers to the continuous setbacks that have plagued the ‘Blade’ reboot. Directors Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange both exited the project, and cast members Aaron Pierre and Delroy Lindo have since moved on. In October 2023, Disney removed ‘Blade’ from its release calendar altogether, canceling its planned November 2025 debut. Since then, silence.
The lack of clear updates has left the fanbase in limbo and the production status murky at best. Additionally, with five untitled Marvel films slated between now and 2028, ‘Blade’ could be among them. However, for now, nothing is confirmed. And yet, perhaps it’s time Marvel revisited Goyer’s offer.
After all, the original Blade trilogy, though far from perfect, still enjoys cult status, largely because of Goyer’s gritty writing and Wesley Snipes’ fierce performance. There’s no shame in turning to legacy creators to reinvigorate stalled projects. In fact, his return might be exactly what this Blade reboot needs.
