Mahershala Ali's Blade Movie Reportedly Dead

The highly anticipated Blade movie appears to have hit a dead end, leaving fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe disheartened. The project, which promised to bring Mahershala Ali into the fold as the iconic Daywalker, has encountered numerous setbacks over the years. Now, it seems the film has officially stalled, with little chance of revival.

Rapper and artist Flying Lotus, who was set to contribute to the film's music, took to social media to confirm the project's demise. "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, adding that while he doubts the film will see the light of day, it would have been an exciting opportunity.

Adding to the disappointment, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, who was poised to work on Blade, revealed during an interview on The John Campea Show that the film was intended to be set in the 1920s. This setting promised unique and captivating costume and production design, heightening the sense of loss among fans.

Actor Delroy Lindo, who was also attached to the project, shared his experience in a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly. "When Marvel came to me, they seemed to be really interested in my input," he said. "And in the various conversations I had with producers, the writer, the director at the time, it was all leading into being very inclusive. It was really exciting conceptually, but it was also exciting in terms of the character that was going to form. And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails."

Announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Blade was originally slated for a November release. However, the film has seen a revolving door of directors, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, none of whom have remained with the project. Despite being removed from Marvel's release schedule in October 2024, MCU boss Kevin Feige remains optimistic. In a November 2024 interview with Omelete, he expressed the studio's commitment to the character and Mahershala Ali's portrayal, 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."

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Despite the setbacks, the Blade project's journey underscores the challenges of bringing ambitious films to life within the ever-evolving landscape of the MCU. As fans await further developments, the promise of Mahershala Ali's Blade remains a beacon of hope for the future of the franchise.