The writer behind the iconic Wesley Snipes-led Blade trilogy, David S. Goyer, has expressed his readiness to step in and help navigate the troubled waters surrounding Mahershala Ali's Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reboot of Blade. Despite the film being announced back in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con, the project has faced numerous setbacks and appears to be at a standstill.
Recent comments from various talents associated with the project highlight its uncertain future. Rapper and artist Flying Lotus, who was set to contribute to the film's music, shared on X/Twitter that the project has drifted too far from being a viable option. "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 remarked. Flying Lotus, who recently directed the sci-fi horror film ASH for Shudder, expressed doubt about the project's revival but noted it would have been a fun endeavor.
Just before Flying Lotus' statement, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, known for her work on Sinners, revealed on The John Campea Show that she was slated to design costumes for Blade. The film was initially planned to be set in the 1920s, promising an exciting backdrop for both costume and production design.
Actor Delroy Lindo, who was set to star alongside Mahershala Ali, also shared his disappointment over the project's collapse. In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Lindo described the initial enthusiasm from Marvel for his input and the inclusive approach to the film's development. "And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails," he lamented.
The film has seen multiple directors come and go, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, without making significant progress. Goyer, who not only penned the original trilogy but also directed Blade: Trinity in 2004, expressed his confusion over the delays. "I would," he told ScreenRant when asked about writing the reboot. "I’ve always loved the character and I love him. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines wondering, ‘What in the world is going on? Why is it taking so long?’ Because I’m a huge Marvel fan myself, and I’ve just been totally puzzled."
Despite being removed from Marvel's release schedule seven months ago, Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige has reiterated the studio's commitment to the project. In an interview with Omelete in November 2024, Feige stated, "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."
In other MCU news, the film Deadpool & Wolverine, which featured a cameo by Wesley Snipes as Blade, grossed $1.3 billion globally. Ryan Reynolds, who played Deadpool, has advocated for a send-off film for Snipes' Blade, similar to Hugh Jackman's Logan. Reynolds credited the original Blade films for paving the way for superhero cinema, stating on X/Twitter, "There is no Fox Marvel Universe or MCU without Blade first creating a market. He’s Marvel Daddy. Please retweet for a Logan-like send-off."
Reynolds is also reportedly in the early stages of developing a new Deadpool and X-Men film, where Deadpool would share the spotlight with other X-Men characters, allowing them to be "used in unexpected ways," as per THR.
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