The writer of the Wesley Snipes' Blade trilogy, David S. Goyer, has expressed his readiness to step in and help resolve the ongoing issues with Mahershala Ali’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reboot of the iconic character. The project, which was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, has faced numerous setbacks, leaving fans and industry insiders puzzled about its future.
Recent developments suggest that the Blade reboot is currently stalled, with little hope of resuming where it left off. Rapper and artist Flying Lotus, who was set to compose the film's music, confirmed on X / Twitter that the project had fallen through. "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 stated, expressing doubt about its revival.
Costume designer Ruth E. Carter, who was slated to work on the film, revealed during an appearance on The John Campea Show that Blade was originally intended to be set in the 1920s. This setting would have provided an exciting backdrop for unique costume and production designs. Actor Delroy Lindo, who was also attached to the project, shared his disappointment with Entertainment Weekly, noting that despite initial enthusiasm and inclusive conversations with the production team, the project derailed for unspecified reasons.
The film has seen multiple directors come and go, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, without any sticking to the project. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Goyer, who wrote and directed parts of the original trilogy, expressed his confusion and eagerness to contribute. "I would," he said 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."
It has been seven months since Blade was removed from Marvel's release schedule, and no new date has been announced. However, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige remains committed to the project. In an interview with Omelete in November 2024, Feige reassured fans, saying, "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."
Meanwhile, the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine, which featured a cameo by Wesley Snipes reprising his role as Blade, was a massive success, grossing $1.3 billion globally. Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds has advocated for a send-off film for Snipes' Blade, similar to Hugh Jackman's Logan. Reynolds credits the original Blade films with 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 in the early stages of developing a Deadpool and X-Men ensemble film, where Deadpool would not be the main focus but would share the spotlight with other X-Men characters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds envisions these characters being "used in unexpected ways," potentially revitalizing interest in the franchise.
The 25 Best Superhero Movies
View 27 Images
