Despite numerous initial setbacks, Mahershala Ali’s much-anticipated role as a vampire slayer in the upcoming “Blade” film is still very much in development, as confirmed by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. This project will see the two-time Academy Award winner take on a character that was originally portrayed by Wesley Snipes in the iconic films from the late ’90s and early 2000s. Additionally, Ali is set to make an appearance in the forthcoming “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 2024. Feige humorously mentioned that one of the delays stemmed from Ryan Coogler asking for costumes for his own vampire-themed project, jokingly stating that they willingly let Coogler take the costumes intended for “Blade”, prioritizing friendship and collaboration in the industry.
Feige elaborated on the significant delays surrounding the “Blade” project, attributing them to Marvel’s recent period of “over-expansion.” This situation arose in response to Disney’s directive for the studio to produce an increased volume of content following the launch of the Disney+ streaming platform. While Feige was cautious about using the term “fallout” to describe the eventual challenges faced, he noted that for the first time, the studio prioritized quantity over quality. He echoed sentiments previously expressed by Disney CEO Bob Iger, highlighting a shift in focus that led to creative compromises.
Reflecting on Marvel’s past successes, Feige remarked, “For twelve years, we worked diligently on the Infinity Saga, assuring ourselves that we would never fall into such a trap.” He emphasized that there were always more characters and stories that fans were eager to see on screen than the studio could realistically produce. “We never intended to release a movie every month; that would have been madness. However, when a mandate to increase production arose, we realized we had more than enough material available. Unfortunately, this led us to a precarious situation,” he explained.
As Marvel began to reassess its development strategy, the “Blade” film—first announced in 2019 and originally slated for a November 2023 release—became one of the projects that experienced significant delays. This re-evaluation was necessary to ensure that the film would align with the high standards that Marvel has set for itself, rather than rushing to meet previous deadlines.
“We wanted to ensure that the character’s portrayal was not just about throwing a leather outfit on him and having him slay vampires without depth. It needed to be something truly distinctive and engaging,” Feige stated. He highlighted a period in which Marvel adopted a more selective approach, insisting on only accepting projects that were exceptionally well-crafted. Unfortunately, the scripts presented at that time did not meet their high standards for creativity and originality.
He further elaborated: “Typically, we believe that a solid script can be elevated to greatness during production. However, we lacked confidence that we could achieve that transformation with “Blade.” We did not want to compromise Mahershala’s performance or our own artistic integrity.” This commitment to quality reflects Marvel’s dedication to delivering outstanding cinematic experiences that resonate with audiences.
The production of “Blade” was initially scheduled to commence in 2022, but director Bassam Tariq (“Mogul Mowgli”) departed from the project in September, just two months before filming was set to begin. Following his exit, Yann Demange (“White Boy Rick”) was brought on to direct, but he also left the project in June 2024. Currently, there is no director attached to the film, but Ali remains enthusiastic about the role and is eager to proceed with the project.
In a recent interview with Variety at the New York premiere of his film “Jurassic World Rebirth,” Ali expressed his readiness to start filming. When asked about the timeline for “Blade”, he confidently replied, “I’m prepared. Let them know I’m ready.” His eagerness underscores his commitment to bringing this iconic character back to life on screen.
Throughout the years, various screenwriters have contributed to the development of “Blade,” including Stacy Osei-Kuffour from “Watchmen” and Michael Starrbury. Feige noted that there have been “three or four” different versions of the “Blade” storyline, with two of them set in historical contexts. “We have decided to focus on a contemporary setting,” Feige clarified. “This is why we were able to return those costumes to Ruth, and that is now our primary focus.”
Regarding “Sinners,” despite the strong interest from audiences, Feige clarified that Coogler is not in consideration to direct the film, expressing surprise that anyone was advocating for that possibility. Coogler is currently busy with “Black Panther 3,” which Feige confirmed is in development, although a release date has yet to be announced. “We understand that there are expectations,” Feige said with a knowing smile, “but if he says he doesn’t have the time, that’s probably true.”
Given all the challenges faced, does Feige have any regrets about announcing the “Blade” project during Marvel Studios’ presentation at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019?
“In hindsight, perhaps,” Feige admitted. “But I don’t truly regret it. This is how we have historically made announcements and have consistently delivered on them.” He emphasized that transparency and communication with fans remain vital to the studio’s ethos.
Feige then pointed out the myriad of unexpected challenges that have arisen for the studio since 2019. These include industry-wide disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent strike delays, as well as specific hurdles faced by Marvel, such as the loss of beloved actors and shifts in storylines that did not resonate as intended with audiences. He also noted challenges related to Kang, mentioning the obstacles that impacted their ability to utilize certain actors in the film’s development process.
