Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie: Kevin Feige’s Latest Insights on Delays and Future Plans

Marvel Studios’ long-awaited reboot of Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie has been a topic of intense speculation and anticipation since its announcement in 2019.

Fans of the iconic vampire hunter, originally portrayed by Wesley Snipes, have been eagerly awaiting updates on the project, which has faced multiple delays and creative shifts.

Recently, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige provided fresh insights into the status of the film, shedding light on its challenges and reaffirming the studio’s commitment to getting it right.

This article breaks down Feige’s recent statements, analyzes the implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and explores what the future might hold for Mahershala Ali’s Blade.

Key Takeaways:

• Kevin Feige Confirms Commitment: Marvel Studios remains dedicated to Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie, with Ali still attached to star as the vampire hunter.

• Modern-Day Setting: The film has shifted to a contemporary setting after exploring period-piece concepts, including one set in the 1930s.

• Quality Over Speed: Feige emphasized that Marvel is prioritizing a unique and high-quality script, refusing to rush production.

• R-Rating Likely: The reboot is expected to carry an R-rating, aligning with the tone of the original Blade trilogy and recent MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine.

• Creative Challenges: Multiple directors and writers have cycled through the project, with Marvel aiming for an “insanely great” final product.

Why Has Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie Been Delayed?

The journey of Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie has been anything but smooth. Announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, the film was initially slated to begin production in 2022 but has faced significant hurdles.

Feige recently addressed these delays, attributing them to Marvel’s “over-expansion” during the early days of Disney+’s content push.

He admitted that the studio’s focus on producing more content led to a situation where “quantity trumped quality” for the first time, impacting projects like Blade.

Feige explained that the studio didn’t want to produce a generic vampire-slaying action flick. “We didn’t want to simply just put a leather outfit on [Ali] and have him start killing vampires. It had to be unique,” he told journalists on July 18, 2025.

This commitment to a distinctive vision led Marvel to reject scripts that didn’t meet their high standards, resulting in the departure of directors Bassam Tariq in 2022 and Yann Demange in June 2024.

What Is the Current Status of the Film?Despite the setbacks, Feige has reassured fans that Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie is still in active development. Ali remains attached to the project, and the film has settled on a modern-day setting after exploring period-piece ideas, including a version set in the 1930s.

The current script, penned by Eric Pearson (known for Thor: Ragnarok), aims to deliver a fresh take on the character while avoiding a formulaic approach.

Feige’s comments at a press event on July 18, 2025, emphasized Marvel’s determination to ensure the film is “insanely great” before moving forward. “We didn’t feel confident that we could do that on Blade, and we didn’t want to do that to Mahershala and didn’t want to do that to us,” he said, highlighting the studio’s respect for both Ali and the character’s legacy.

Will Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie Be R-Rated?

One of the most exciting updates from Feige is the likelihood of Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie carrying an R-rating, following the precedent set by Deadpool & Wolverine.

In a July 2024 interview with BlackTree TV, Feige noted that the success of the R-rated Deadpool film has influenced Marvel’s approach to Blade.

“For the last two years, as we’ve been trying to crack that movie, the most important thing for us is not rushing it and making sure we are making the right Blade movie,” he said.

This aligns with the tone of the original Blade trilogy, which was known for its gritty, mature themes.

An R-rating could allow Marvel to fully embrace the horror and action elements of Blade’s world, potentially featuring Mia Goth as the vampiric antagonist Lilith.

What Challenges Has Marvel Faced in Development?

The development of Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie has been marked by creative challenges.

The project has cycled through at least six writers and two directors, with reports suggesting that Ali himself has been selective about the script, rejecting versions that didn’t align with his vision for the character.

One rumored script focused on Blade’s daughter, which reportedly clashed with Ali’s expectations, leading to further rewrites.

Feige’s candid reflection on Marvel’s past mistakes underscores the studio’s shift in strategy.

He admitted that announcing the film in 2019 may have been premature, given the unforeseen challenges like the pandemic, Hollywood strikes, and internal creative disagreements.

Despite these obstacles, Feige remains optimistic, stating, “We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala’s take on him.”

What Can Fans Expect from Mahershala Ali’s Blade?

While no release date has been confirmed, Feige’s recent statements suggest that Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie will aim to redefine the character for the MCU.

The modern-day setting opens up possibilities for crossovers with other MCU characters, especially given Blade’s brief voice cameo in Eternals (2021), which hinted at his connection to the Ebony Blade and mystical threats.

Speculation abounds about how Blade will fit into the MCU’s broader narrative. With Marvel scaling back its output to focus on quality, the film could serve as a standalone horror-action hybrid or tie into future Avengers projects.

The casting of Mia Goth as Lilith and John West Jr. as DEE suggests a focus on a dark, supernatural storyline that could push the MCU into bold new territory.

When Will Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie Finally Release?

The biggest question remains: when will fans see Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie? After being removed from Marvel’s 2025 release calendar, the film currently has no official release date.

However, Feige’s commitment to the project and Ali’s own enthusiasm—he recently said, “Call Marvel. I’m ready. Let them know I’m ready” at the Jurassic World Rebirth premiere—indicate that the film is far from canceled.

Some Closing Thoughts:

Marvel’s focus on quality suggests that production could resume once a satisfactory script and director are secured. Given the studio’s current trajectory, a release in 2027 or 2028 seems plausible, though fans may see Ali’s Blade in a cameo role in another MCU project sooner.

Looking Ahead: A New Dawn for Blade

Mahershala Ali’s Blade Movie remains one of the MCU’s most anticipated yet elusive projects. Kevin Feige’s recent statements provide hope that Marvel is taking the time to craft a film worthy of both Ali’s talent and the character’s storied legacy.

Some Closing Thoughts:

While delays have frustrated fans, the promise of an R-rated, modern-day take on Blade, backed by Marvel’s renewed focus on quality, suggests that the wait could be worth it.

As the studio continues to refine its vision, all eyes are on Mahershala Ali to bring the Daywalker to life in a way that honors the past while forging a bold new future.

Stay tuned to this space for all the latest updates on this matter.