Key Takeaways:
• Director Yann Demange's recent exit from Blade's production added to the ongoing delays.
• Shelby Weiser, Mahershala Ali's attorney, described the delay as unprecedented.
• Despite numerous Marvel projects announced at the same time as Blade have been released, Blade has not yet started production.
• Blade's scriptwriting journey is chequered, with many writers contributing to the initial and rewritten versions.
• Mahershala Ali still intends to star in Blade despite the delays.
Let's Talk About ‘Blade'
Have you heard about the Marvel Cinematic Universe's new movie, ‘Blade'? We bet you have! But it looks like Blade might be the most cursed production in the universe, the Marvel one, that is. The recent exit of director Yann Demange added more sand to the hourglass. Yet, it's not the first time Blade's production has hit a snag.
One Noteworthy Delay
In an interview with THR, Mahershala Ali's attorney, Shelby Weiser, didn't mince words about the Blade production. “This deal was first announced in 2019, and they still haven't even started shooting. That's pretty much the craziest thing in my professional experience,” he stated.
For a quick comparison, Blade was first announced at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 along with several other Marvel projects. These include Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and more. What's surprising? All these projects have already set their foot in the cinema, while Blade is yet to roll its first camera.
Behind the Scenes
Things behind the scenes have been equally as crazy. Blade was first set to be directed by Bassam Tariq. But guess what? He was replaced by Yann Demange, who has now also left the project.
Lots of cooks have also had a hand in the Blade script. Watchmen‘s Stacy Osei-Kuffour wrote the pilot script before Michael Starrbury, Nic Pizzolatto, and Michael Green took turns at rewriting it. Now, it seems that Eric Pearson from Fantastic Four is currently on board to work on the new script.
Yet, there's still a glimmer of hope for Blade since Demange had previously hinted that the film would have a Rating-R. He even shared his excitement about exploring the ruthless side of actor Mahershala Ali.
The Star's Take on Delay
Mahershala Ali, who is still on board for Blade, gave an upbeat update in December. “We're working on it. That's the best I could say,” Ali said. He looked hopeful about the direction of the project and hinted at a comeback into work soon.
Despite this, Blade is targeted for a November 7, 2025 release. But with this rate, we wouldn't be surprised if Marvel pushes the release date further back.
In Summation
Things are pretty twisted with Blade, from the multiple directory changes to the continuous delays. After being announced alongside other successful Marvel projects, Blade's journey still seems to be at the starting line. Regardless, the commitment of stars like Mahershala Ali provides a silver lining for enthusiasts.
However, as we all wait patiently for the next update, one thing looks certain: the making of Blade has and continues to be quite the rollercoaster in Hollywood's production scene.
