Mahershala Ali's Blade Movie Seems Dead

The much-anticipated Blade movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seemingly hit a dead end, leaving fans disappointed and without the chance to see Mahershala Ali embody the iconic Daywalker. The film, which has faced numerous obstacles since its announcement, appears to have stalled indefinitely, with little hope of revival.

Rapper and artist Flying Lotus recently shared insights on social media about his involvement in the project, confirming that Blade is no longer moving forward. "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 posted on X / Twitter. Expressing his doubts about a future revival, he added, "Maybe it'll come around again but I doubt it. Would have been fun tho."

Adding to the series of unfortunate updates, costume designer Ruth E. Carter revealed on The John Campea Show that she was set to work on Blade before the project collapsed. She mentioned that the film was planned to be set in the 1920s, which would have offered a unique backdrop for compelling costume and production design.

Completing the trifecta of disheartening news, actor Delroy Lindo, who was also attached to star in the film alongside Ali, shared his experience with the project. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lindo described how Marvel initially seemed eager to incorporate his input and create an inclusive narrative. "And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails," he lamented, reflecting on the project's derailment.

Blade was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, with an intended release this November had everything gone according to plan. The film has seen a carousel of directors, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, none of whom remained with the project.

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Despite the tumultuous journey of this adaptation, it's noteworthy that only six months have passed since Blade was removed from Marvel's release schedule in October 2024. No new release date has been set, yet MCU boss Kevin Feige remains optimistic about the film's future. In a November 2024 interview with Omelete, Feige reiterated the studio's commitment to the project, stating, "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."