Six Years Later, Mahershala Ali is Still Committed to Playing ‘Blade’

After years of delays, exits, and creative upheaval, Blade remains one of Marvel Studios’ most elusive upcoming projects. But if Mahershala Ali has his way, production will be rolling sooner rather than later.

Speaking to Variety at the New York premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth, Ali didn’t mince words when asked about the film’s status. “Call Marvel,” he said. “I’m ready. Let them know I’m ready.”

Marvel’s Blade was first revealed during a show-stopping 2019 presentation at San Diego Comic-Con. Ali’s casting as the half-human, half-vampire Daywalker marked a significant reboot of the franchise last brought to screen by Wesley Snipes. Since then, however, the road has been rocky. The project has lost multiple directors, seen stars depart, and been removed from Disney’s release slate entirely, most recently losing its November 7, 2025 date.

David Goyer, who penned the original Blade trilogy, revealed in an interview with Happy Sad Confused that he offered to help revive the project following setbacks. “I had my agent call Marvel and say, ‘Do you guys need any help?’” Goyer recalled. “And they said, ‘We love you, but we think we’ve cracked it now, and we’re in a good place.’”

Still, the behind-the-scenes turbulence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Yann Demange, the latest director to join and leave the film, stepped away quietly. Actor Delroy Lindo, once attached to star, told Entertainment Weekly in April, “It was really exciting conceptually… and then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails.”

Despite all the setbacks, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige remains optimistic about the future of Blade. He said during an interview with Omelete in November 2024. “We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala’s take on him,” Feige assured in a recent statement. “Rest assured, the character will indeed make it to the MCU.” However, with multiple directors cycling through the project and a release date nowhere in sight, it’s hard to see when or how Blade will eventually make its debut.

Whether that “soon” arrives before the end of the Multiverse Saga remains to be seen. Marvel currently has four release slots set for 2028, leaving the door open for Blade to finally rise again. For now, Ali waits, fangs sharpened.

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