Blade’s MCU Movie May Be Dead, And That’s Actually The Best Thing For Both Blade And Marvel

by

Summary

  • Marvel may have quietly canceled the Blade movie, which could be beneficial for the character and MCU.
  • Blade’s troubled history with constant revisions and lack of leadership made the success of the film doubtful.
  • The cancellation could lead to introducing Blade in other MCU projects, like a Disney+ series or Midnight Suns movie.

Discussing a potential shift in plans, it appears that Marvel Studios’ much-anticipated Blade movie featuring Mahershala Ali could be postponed or even scrapped entirely. This unexpected turn might prove beneficial not only for the character but also for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. Since the project was initially announced in 2019, it has faced numerous delays and production hurdles. Despite optimistic hopes for its eventual progress, there is a strong possibility that the final product may fall short for several reasons.

When Wesley Snipes stated, “There is only one Blade,” during his appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, few anticipated the irony that lay ahead. Since his last major film outing in Blade: Trinity in 2004, efforts have persistently been made to resurrect the character. A brief TV series starring Sticky Fingaz was launched and concluded, Marvel reclaimed the rights in 2012, but despite these events, a fitting reboot has yet to materialize.

Did Marvel Cancel Blade Entirely?

Recent Rumors Suggest The Movie’s Dead

Recent updates indicate that Marvel Studios might not just postpone the release of Blade, but may have decided to cancel it altogether. According to a series of posts by Rodrigo Perez on X from The Playlist, it seems like the Mahershala Ali-led film is no longer in production, at least for now. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Blade won’t appear in future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) projects. If Mahershala Ali remains attached to the project, there’s a possibility he could appear in a completely different reboot instead of the one currently on hold.

Initially, there were whispers that the director of John Wick, Chad Stahelski, might helm the project. However, recent gossip contradicts this completely. Instead, it seems the creative approach for Blade has changed. At present, it’s speculated that the character could make an appearance in upcoming projects such as Midnight Suns (still in its infancy), and potentially even Avengers: Secret Wars, though this is less probable due to Marvel’s desire to avoid overcrowding an already robust cast.

Blade’s MCU Movie Has A Troubled History

Constant Revisions & Lack Of Leadership

To be honest, when a movie like “Blade” has been in development for such an extended period, it often suggests that its quality might not be as high as anticipated. Regardless of the excitement surrounding it, “Blade” appears to have faced challenges from the outset. Over time, six different scriptwriters have contributed to the project, with Eric Pearson providing the most recent draft. A variety of directors such as Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange were linked with the project at one point, but none ultimately accepted the role.

It’s evident that Blade didn’t have a clear guiding vision or a dominant figure to steer its direction within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since its unveiling at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Blade has faced numerous challenges, some of which are not only due to the people involved, but also external factors such as the COVID pandemic and writers’ and actors’ strikes. However, script and casting issues have posed the most significant obstacles so far.

Just last week, “Captain America: New Horizon” premiered after encountering similar challenges, albeit not to the same extent. The end product was an unremarkable movie that underperformed at the box office. Given this, it’s safe to say that “Blade” wouldn’t want a repeat of that situation, especially during its debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It seems there were issues with the film, given the numerous rewrites it required. In an interview with Omelete in November 2024, Kevin Feige talked about the “Blade” film:

Our dedication lies with Blade, and our affection for the character is immense, as is our admiration for Mahershala Ali’s portrayal. It’s safe to say that Blade will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut.

The MCU Needs To Justify The Long Wait

Initially, the concept of a mature-rated character such as myself, Blade, integrating into the kid-friendly Marvel Cinematic Universe sparked some skepticism within me. However, the successes of Deadpool and Wolverine have shown that anything is possible in this universe. Yet, I can’t help but share the concerns of fans who worry that my character might be diluted to increase marketability. Previous rumors suggested that my film would be set in the 1920s and could potentially center around a female lead, portrayed by Mia Goth as Lilith, a vampire pursuing Blade’s daughter’s blood. Frankly, this concept doesn’t resonate with me.

Did Mahershala Ali Drop Out Of Blade?

Mahershala Ali’s involvement in the movie “Blade” is uncertain due to the film’s prolonged delays and apparent management issues, which reportedly displeased him greatly. He had chosen “Blade” over other potential projects, effectively pausing his career for it. Considering his age might be a factor in future sequels, there’s a possibility he could decide to move on, which would squander an excellent casting decision.

How Blade Can Join Marvel After Secret Wars

Midnight Suns, TV Series Option & More

An alternative approach could be developing a Disney+ series for the character of Blade, whether Mahershala Ali continues or not. This format appears more suitable for the character’s tone, aligning with other TV characters such as Daredevil, the Defenders, the Punisher, and Moon Knight. Meanwhile, a movie based on the Midnight Suns seems fitting given Blade’s supernatural ties. However, Marvel is currently working on finding the right approach to incorporate supernatural elements in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The “Blade” film could have been an ideal opportunity for Marvel to incorporate darker aspects, such as vampires, spirits, and demons. It’s intriguing to speculate about Dracula as a villain in the MCU, although this doesn’t seem like a typical fit. Fortunately, thanks to Marvel Television, fans have already been introduced to characters dwelling in similar magical realms. These include Agatha Harkness, Wiccan, Werewolf by Night, and others, but it remains uncertain how they intend to integrate everything seamlessly.

Blade’s Cancellation Could Be A Blessing For Marvel

It’s Just Not The Right Time For An MCU Blade

Prior to the latest whispers of cancellation, the production of Blade had been postponed indefinitely. This decision was made by Marvel Studios when they took Blade off their release schedule back in October 2024. At present, it seems that Doomsday and Secret Wars, along with the newly unveiled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, are at the top of their priority list. Consequently, it is expected that we won’t see a solo project for Blade until after 2027. A possible alternative could be for him to appear as a supporting character in another movie, much like Namor who initially appeared in Wakanda Forever and has now been confirmed to reappear in Doomsday.

Kevin Feige and his creative team have an opportunity now to rethink their approach for the upcoming Blade, considering a fresh start. The 2019 announcement didn’t exactly receive thunderous applause since many fans were still yearning for a fourth Blade movie featuring Wesley Snipes. It’s been thirteen years since Marvel obtained the rights to the character, but they haven’t done much with it beyond Wesley Snipes’ brief appearance. Given this, it would be wise for them to take their time and craft something exceptional, rather than hurriedly releasing a subpar production.

Read More

2025-04-01 22:29