Marvel’s Blade Reboot ‘Went Off the Rails,’ Delroy Lindo Reveals Shocking Details

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It appears that the much-anticipated remake of Marvel’s Blade, which has been in development for quite some time, is currently at a standstill and facing uncertainty. In an interview with Deadline, actor Delroy Lindo, who played a character in the series Sinners, expressed his concerns by saying that the project had “derailed” from its intended course.

In the beginning, Marvel seemed quite enthusiastic about his ideas, and the initial conversations were both enticing and collaborative. Lindo was all set to portray a character based on Marcus Garvey, leading a Black community, which he found intellectually stimulating. Unfortunately, despite an encouraging beginning, the project encountered numerous hurdles, such as creative disagreements, and eventually came to a halt.

2019 saw the formal unveiling of the film at San Diego Comic-Con. It was then that Marvel Studios declared Mahershala Ali would assume the role of the legendary vampire slayer, signifying his first appearance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, this reboot has experienced numerous setbacks. Among the reasons for these delays are alterations in its creative team, such as the exits of directors like Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange, along with various screenwriters. Additionally, the departure of multiple directors and the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with ensuing strikes within Hollywood, have significantly affected the production schedule.

The movie has gone through multiple scriptwriters, including Stacy Osei-Kuffour from ‘Watchmen’ and Nic Pizzolatto from ‘True Detective’. It has faced challenges due to the 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, leading to some delays. Marvel Studios remains dedicated to the project and Blade’s portrayal by Ali, but for now, it appears the production is temporarily paused.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the continuation of Marvel’s Blade project, but recent whispers from within the studio have left me feeling somewhat uneasy. Despite Kevin Feige’s consistent promises to stay dedicated to the project, it seems that no definite production timeline has been set. The rumor mill is churning with speculation, suggesting a possible debut for Blade in the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars or even a team-up in the anticipated Midnight Sons film instead.

In a turn of events following his 2019 Oscar win for “Green Book,” Mahershala Ali, who initially pitched the reboot, continues to be involved, joined by Mia Goth as the antagonist Lilith. However, due to Lindo’s departure and other scheduling conflicts, the supporting cast is currently in a state of change. The script, which has been reworked to ensure Blade doesn’t become a secondary character in his own movie, has seen multiple changes, with “Black Widow” writer Eric Pearson now working on it. Additionally, Wesley Snipes’ recent appearance as an alternate-universe version of Blade in “Deadpool & Wolverine” has sparked fan speculation about Marvel using multiverse concepts, but Kevin Feige has assured us that Ali’s take will form the foundation for the MCU’s supernatural future.

The delays in the production of the Blade movie indicate larger challenges Marvel Studios face in blending individual storylines with an interconnected universe, especially for darker, R-rated productions like Blade. With Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars taking priority, insiders suggest the standalone film for Blade might not come until Phase 7 – if it happens at all. The future of this project now depends on Marvel’s ability to align their meticulous methods with Mahershala Ali’s shrinking availability. Regardless of the outcome, Blade serves as a warning about superhero aspirations getting tangled in the intricate machinery of franchise development.

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2025-04-22 23:15