Mahershala Ali and Kevin Feige jointly announced Marvel’s Blade reboot in 2019, but getting the movie off the ground has been no easy task. The new film has been plagued by script problems and delays. Director Bassam Tariq exited the project in 2022. Now, Tariq’s replacement, Yann Demange, has also stepped down from Blade.
The Wrap broke the story about Demange’s departure, which the outlet reports is “entirely amicable.” But it also leaves the reboot without a director 17 months before the film was supposed to open in theaters. However, the report states that getting Blade right is more of a priority for Marvel than getting it out quickly. Given Marvel’s new mandate to only release two to three films a year, Blade’s November 7, 2025 release date was already in question. Ali is currently in negotiations to join the next Jurassic World movie, which could also affect his availability for Blade.
Fantastic Four screenwriter Eric Pearson is working on the current draft of Blade. Some of the writers previously attached to the script include True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto, Michael Starrbury, and Michael Green. It’s also unclear if any of the announced Blade cast members, including MaXXXine’s Mia Goth, are still attached to the film.
Blade was created as a half-human/half-vampire supporting character in 1973 during Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan’s run on Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula. Blade’s popularity eventually led to larger roles in Marvel’s comic book universe, including his own series as well as a recent stint on the Avengers. Wesley Snipes portrayed Blade in the 1998 film of the same name, as well as its two sequels. Kirk Jones took over the role for the short-lived Blade: The Series in 2006.
