Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige expressed confidence in the future of Blade, even after the Mahershala Ali-led film was removed from the Marvel release calendar last month.
"We're committed to Blade," Feige told the Brazilian entertainment website Omelete, as translated by IGN. "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."
Feige announced the casting of Ali as Blade at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019. Since that surprise announcement, the project has dealt with one setback after another, starting with the departure of director Bassam Tariq due to "continued shifts" in the schedule, according to a Marvel rep.
Shortly after Tariq's exit, it was reported in Oct. 2022 that the project has been put on pause, so Marvel Studios can "take some extra time" before resuming production.
Yann Demange (White Boy Rick, Lovecraft Country) was tapped to direct in late 2022, but he and Marvel Studios reached an amicable split earlier this year. Deadline reported at the time that Ali remained onboard, but the 50-year-old actor was not going to let other opportunities pass him by. This was evident when it was reported that Ali would star alongside Scarlett Johansson in a Jurassic World sequel.
The Blade reboot was scheduled for a Nov. 7, 2025 theatrical release before its removal from the Marvel calendar.
