Why Is Marvel's Blade Reboot Still Delayed? Fans and Original Writer Seek Answers

The screenwriter behind Wesley Snipes' Blade trilogy is eager to assist Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige in reviving Mahershala Ali’s long-delayed MCU Blade project.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe film has faced numerous setbacks over time, leaving Blade's production at a standstill with little indication it will resume soon.

Last month, rapper and artist Flying Lotus shared on X / Twitter his involvement in the project, revealing that the Blade film he was set to score is no longer moving forward. "I was signed on to compose music for the new BLADE movie before it collapsed," said the DJ, who recently directed Shudder’s sci-fi horror ASH. "Maybe it'll happen someday, but I’m skeptical. It would’ve been exciting."

The day before Flying Lotus’ post, Sinners costume designer Ruth E. Carter appeared on The John Campea Show and confirmed she was tasked with designing costumes for Blade before the project unraveled. Notably, the film was set to take place in the 1920s, promising striking costume and production design.

Actor Delroy Lindo, once attached to star alongside Ali’s Blade, also spoke about the project’s collapse shortly before Carter’s comments.

"Marvel approached me with genuine interest in my perspective," Lindo told Entertainment Weekly. "Through discussions with producers, the writer, and the director at the time, the process felt very collaborative. The concept was thrilling, and the character had great potential. But for reasons unknown, it derailed."

Blade was first revealed at San Diego Comic Con in 2019, with an initial release planned for this November. The project has seen multiple directors, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, but none have stayed on board.

In a recent ScreenRant interview, David S. Goyer, writer of the original Blade trilogy and director of 2004’s Blade: Trinity, expressed confusion over the delays.

“I’d jump at the chance,” Goyer said when asked about writing Marvel’s Blade reboot. “I adore the character and have been watching from the sidelines, wondering, ‘What’s causing this holdup?’ As a huge Marvel fan, I’m completely baffled.”

Seven months ago, Blade was pulled from Marvel’s release slate, and no new date has been confirmed. However, in November 2024, Feige told Omelete that Marvel remains committed to the project.

“We’re dedicated to Blade. We love the character and Mahershala’s vision for him,” Feige said. “Whenever we adjust a project’s direction or timeline, we keep fans informed. Rest assured, Blade will join the MCU.”

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The MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine, featuring Wesley Snipes reprising his role as Blade in a cameo, grossed $1.3 billion globally. Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has advocated for a standalone Blade film to honor Snipes, similar to Hugh Jackman’s Logan.

Reynolds noted that the 1998 Blade and its sequels paved the way for superhero films, enabling the creation of the X-Men franchise and the MCU.

“Blade established the market for superhero movies,” Reynolds wrote on X/Twitter. “He’s the Marvel pioneer. Please share to support a Logan-style farewell.”

Reports this month suggest Reynolds is in the “early stages” of developing a Deadpool and X-Men ensemble film, according to THR. The project would spotlight three or four X-Men characters alongside Deadpool, with the latter taking a supporting role to showcase these characters in fresh, unexpected ways.