Marvel Officially Set Up Its Blade Movie Three Years Ago Today

The Marvel Cinematic Universe initiated its Blade movie way back in 2021, yet the movie doesn’t seem any closer to release. Three years ago, the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially introduced Blade, hinting at the long-awaited revival of the iconic vampire hunter. Played by Mahershala Ali, Blade was positioned to bring a darker, supernatural element to the MCU, generating enormous excitement. However, despite this setup, Marvel’s Blade movie has been beset by several delays.

Though the MCU's official Blade has been teased, Wesley Snipes' variant thrillingly joined the MCU timeline in Deadpool & Wolverine. Wesley Snipes reprised his role as the iconic vampire, celebrating his role in the original Blade trilogy. An especially pleasing line from Deadpool declared that there’s only one Blade, a line that is increasingly reflecting the state of the character in the MCU.

Blade Technically Made His MCU Debut in Eternals' Post-Credit Scene

Marvel initially set up Blade’s entrance into the MCU in 2021’s Eternals, albeit in a subtle way. The post-credits scene featured Dane Whitman (played by Kit Harington) hesitating over a mysterious sword, hinting at his future as the Black Knight. Just as Dane reached for the sword, a voice offscreen asked if he was ready for what was to come. That voice, though not visually confirmed, was later revealed to be none other than Mahershala Ali’s Blade. While fans didn’t actually see him, Blade’s presence was teased, confirming his character was part of the MCU’s future plans.

This brief vocal cameo served as the first step in reintroducing Blade to a new generation of Marvel viewers. Marvel’s choice to use Ali for the role was seen as a perfect casting move, especially since he’d already received acclaim for his performances in Moonlight and Green Book. However, while this subtle introduction laid the groundwork for a larger storyline involving Blade, Marvel has struggled to make significant progress with the project since then.

What's Happened With The Blade Movie Since Then?

Marvel’s Blade movie has encountered one obstacle after another since it was first announced. Initially, the project had an anticipated release date set for late 2023. However, production delays, a shifting creative vision, and changes in the film’s creative team have pushed the release back multiple times, with the latest rumors suggesting a late 2025 release at best. The film has been plagued by "development hell" - an industry term for movies that get stuck in seemingly endless cycles of rewrites, delays, and internal disagreements.

Since the announcement, Blade has gone through multiple directors and writers, suggesting that Marvel hasn’t quite found the right creative direction. Originally, Bassam Tariq was set to direct, but he exited the project in 2022 over "creative differences," according to reports. Yann Demange, known for Lovecraft Country, was later brought in to take over, with hopes that his expertise in horror and supernatural themes could steer the movie in a compelling direction.

While Marvel has been celebrated for blending superhero action with humor and heart, Blade’s darker tone and supernatural elements seem to be challenging to incorporate into the broader MCU. Reports suggest that Marvel has been torn between delivering an R-rated Blade movie that leans into its horror roots or a more family-friendly version that fits with the broader MCU brand. Finding this balance has been a recurring issue, and it has delayed production as Marvel seems uncertain about the direction to take Blade.