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Summary
Marvel’s long-awaitedBlademovie starring Mahershala Ali might be canceled, and that could actually be a good thing for both the character and theMCU. Ever since the project was first announced in 2019, it’s been stuck in development hell. Even if it does eventually move forward, it may end up being a dud for a number of reasons.
When Wesley Snipes said, “There is only one Blade”, in hisDeadpool & Wolverinecameo, no one saw its irony coming in the immediate future. Since his last big-screen appearance inBlade: Trinityin 2004, multiple attempts have been made to revive the character. A short-lived TV show with Sticky Fingaz came and went, Marvel got the rights back in 2012, and yet, a proper reboot is still nowhere to be seen.
Did Marvel CancelBladeEntirely?
Recent Rumors Suggest The Movie’s Dead
New reports suggest that Marvel Studios isn’t just delayingBlade, they’re canceling the project entirely. In a series of posts on X fromThe Playlist’s Rodrigo Perez, the Mahershala Ali-led film appears to be scrapped, at least for now. This means that while the specific version of the movie in development won’t be released, Blade could still show up in other MCU projects. If Ali stays on, he could even feature in an entirely different reboot than the one that’s shelved.
A while back,John Wickdirector Chad Stahelski was rumored to take over the project, but the latest rumors debunk this entirely, as the creative direction forBladehas reportedly shifted. As it stands, the character is likely to get introduced in projects likethe upcomingMidnight Sunsmovie(still in early development). He could even appear inAvengers: Secret Wars, although that’s less likely since Marvel wouldn’t want to bloat up an already loaded ensemble cast.
Blade’s MCU Movie Has A Troubled History
Constant Revisions & Lack Of Leadership
Let’s face it: when a film likeBladehas been stuck in limbo for so many years, the chances of it being good are actually pretty low. Despite all the hype,Bladeseems like a project that was doomed from the beginning. Over the years,six different writers have worked on the script, with the latest draft rewritten by Eric Pearson. Directors like Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange were all attached at some point, but none of them ended up taking the job.
It’s clear that there was no singular defining vision or leader totake Blade forward in the MCU. And it may not be just the people involved, asBladehas also fallen victim to a variety of issues since it was first announced in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con. These included the COVID pandemic, as well as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. However, the script and casting problems have been the biggest hurdles.
Just recently,Captain America: Brave New Worldfinally came out after facing similar issues, though not on the same scale. The final result was a mediocre film with a weak box office performance.Bladesurely wouldn’t want to repeat that, especially not in the character’s first ever MCU outing. Surely, something wasn’t right with the film if it had to go through so many rewrites. Kevin Feige discussed theBladefilm in aNovember 2024 interview withOmelete:
We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love the version that Mahershala has of him … I can say that the character will reach the MCU.
The MCU Needs To Justify The Long Wait
The idea of an R-rated character likeBladejoining the family-friendly MCU also raised doubts at the time. WhileDeadpool & Wolverineproved otherwise, fans still fear Marvel would water down Blade to make him more marketable. Earlier reports also mentioned that theBlademovie would’ve been a 1920s period piece and potentially a female-led story – featuringMia Goth as Lilith, a vampire after Blade’s daughter’s blood. None of this sounds particularly appealing.
Did Mahershala Ali Drop Out OfBlade?
Mahershala Ali’s presence inBladealso hangs in the balance. The shelved film’sconstant revisions and poor management reportedly frustrated him. The two-time Academy Award winner had prioritizedBladeover other viable projects, essentially putting his career on hold. His age may also be a factor for future sequels, and he could end up walking away. That would be a complete waste of a great casting opportunity.
How Blade Can Join Marvel After Secret Wars
Midnight Suns, TV Series Option & More
A better option might be a Disney+ series forBlade, with or without Mahershala Ali staying on. This format seems like a better tonal fit for the character, alongside other TV heroes likeDaredevil, the Defenders,the Punisher, and even Moon Knight. TheMidnight Sunsmovie seems like a natural choice, givenBlade’s supernatural connections. But Marvel is still figuring out how to handle supernatural elements in the MCU.
TheBlademovie would have been the perfect chance for Marvel to introduce darker elements, like vampires, ghouls, and demons. It’s tempting to imagine Dracula as an MCU villain, even though this isn’t a mainstream fit. Thanks to Marvel Television, fans have already been introduced to characters in the same magic territory. This includesAgatha Harkness, Wiccan, Werewolf by Night, and more, but it’s unclear how they plan to make it all work.
Blade’s Cancellation Could Be A Blessing For Marvel
It’s Just Not The Right Time For An MCU Blade
Even before these recent rumors of cancellation,Bladewas shelved indefinitely after Marvel Studios officially removed it from their release schedule in October 2024. Right now, the priority is clearly withDoomsdayandSecret Wars, along with the newly announcedSpider-Man: Brand New Day, which is sandwiched between them. In any case,Bladewill likely have to wait until after 2027 for his own project. A better entry point would be as a supporting character in another film, similar tohow Namor appeared inWakanda Foreverand is now confirmed to return inDoomsday.
Kevin Feige and his team can use this time to go back to the drawing board and do a creative reset for the newBlade. Even the 2019 announcement didn’t get a rousing welcome either, as many fans were still hoping for a fourthBladefilm with Wesley Snipes. It’s been thirteen years since Marvel got the rights to the character and done nothing with it beyond theWesley Snipes cameo. So, they might as well take the time to make something great, and not rush out something overcooked.
