It’s been a long time coming, but it seems like Marvel’s Blade movie is now in a bit of trouble. According to a recent report from The Cosmic Circus (via World of Reel), the film has entered what can only be described as “a limbo state.” For those of us who’ve been eagerly anticipating Mahershala Ali stepping into the shoes once worn by Wesley Snipes, this news is a real blow. The film was noticeably absent from Disney’s list of 2025 releases, and that’s not a good sign.
Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been following this project with bated breath since it was first announced back in 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con. But here we are, five years later, and the movie still seems to be stuck in the same spot it was when it was first teased. There’s no director attached, the script has been through more rewrites than a Shakespearean play, and even Ali himself is reportedly getting frustrated with the whole process. Not exactly what you want to hear about a movie that’s supposed to bring one of Marvel’s coolest characters back to the big screen.
The Long Road to Limbo
![marvel-blade-movie-limbo](https://www.small-screen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/marvel-blade-movie-limbo.jpg)
Credit: Marvel Studios
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So, what exactly went wrong with the Blade film? It’s a question that’s been on the minds of many Marvel fans for a while now. Initially, the movie seemed like a slam dunk. Mahershala Ali, fresh off his Oscar wins, was cast as Blade, a role that seemed tailor-made for him. The original Blade films, starring Wesley Snipes, were a huge hit in the late ’90s and early 2000s, and fans were more than ready to see the Daywalker return to theatres. But then, things started to go off the rails.
First, there were the COVID-related delays that hit just about every movie in production at the time. Then came the directorial shake-ups. Yann Demange, who was initially on board to direct, exited the project, following in the footsteps of Bassam Tariq, who also left the director’s chair. As if that wasn’t enough, the script has been passed around more times than a hot potato, with six different writers having taken a crack at it. If that doesn’t scream “trouble,” I don’t know what does.
Mahershala Ali’s Frustration
![mcu-blade-movie-release-date-cast-plot](https://www.small-screen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mcu-blade-movie-release-date-cast-plot.jpg)
Credit: Marvel Studios
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It’s not just the fans who are feeling the strain. Reports suggest that Mahershala Ali is also starting to lose patience with the project. And who can blame him? Ali is an actor at the top of his game, and he surely didn’t sign up for a project that’s been plagued by endless delays and uncertainty. The latest script is rumoured to have shifted the setting from the 1920s to the present day, which might be a good move, but it also highlights just how much this movie has been in flux.
There’s also the matter of co-star Mia Goth, who is still attached to play Lilith, a vampire with a keen interest in Blade’s daughter. But with so much up in the air, you have to wonder how much longer the cast can stay attached to a project that doesn’t seem to be moving forward. It’s like watching a train that’s stuck on the tracks, wheels spinning but going nowhere.
What’s Next for Blade?
![mahershala-ali-blade-movie-positive-update-1](https://www.small-screen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mahershala-ali-blade-movie-positive-update-1.jpg)
Credit: Marvel
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The big question now is: where does Marvel go from here? The Blade film was supposed to be a major part of the next phase of the MCU, but with all these delays, it’s starting to look like we might have to wait a lot longer to see the Daywalker back in action. There’s no word yet on when—or even if—the movie will get back on track. And with no director, no solid script, and a lead actor who’s reportedly fed up, things aren’t looking great.
However, all hope is not lost. Marvel has a history of pulling off miracles, and if any studio can get this project back on its feet, it’s them. But they’ll need to act fast. Fans are growing restless, and the longer this drags on, the harder it will be to regain that initial excitement.
Final Thoughts on the MCU’s Blade movie
![blade-mcu-delayed-2026](https://www.small-screen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/blade-mcu-delayed-2026.jpg)
Credit: Marvel Studios
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As someone who’s been a fan of Blade since Wesley Snipes first made the character a household name, this news is more than a little disappointing. But I’m holding out hope that Marvel can turn things around. After all, the MCU has done the impossible before. Here’s hoping they can do it again, because the world needs more Mahershala Ali, more vampire-hunting action, and more Blade.