The Blade delays have been exhausting for many fans but the hype of the movie is far from diminishing. The movie that was first announced in 2019 as a part of Marvel’s Phase 4 is still in development hell even when Phase 5 is close to its end. Mahershala Ali’s brief appearance in the post-credits scene of Eternals has made his place secure as the titular vampire hunter but surprisingly, several changes in writing and booking directors made it almost unbearable. Still, we are almost assured that the Blade reboot is happening despite the unprecedented delays over the years.
Kevin Feige Has A Blade Update
Kevin Feige. Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/CC
Mahershala Ali has big shoes to fill as he was roped in to star as the titular vampire hunter carrying the legacy of Wesley Snipes who played the Daywalker in the original Blade trilogy. While the movie struggles to secure a director, Marvel Boss Kevin Feige recently revealed the movie’s rating as he appeared for a chat with BlackTree TV.
The host asked Feige if Blade, like Deadpool & Wolverine, would have the R-rating. “I think that’s right,” Feige said. “I mean, 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.”
Deadpool & Wolverine went on to be the first R-rated movie in the MCU and it would be close to impossible to continue the very character arc of Deadpool without the R-rating. “Because there were some great Blade movies years ago — they were all rated-R. So I think that’s, like Deadpool, inherent with the character of Blade,” Feige added.
Feige, although not in a hurry to fast-track the development of the Blade movie, assured fans that it is due to the stake of the legacy of the character that deserves “Marvel-ous” writing and direction.
What’s The Status Of Blade Now?
Mahershala Ali. Image Credit: Netflix
Despite the progression of the movie moving slower than a sloth, Blade already has a few stars booked as the cast of the movie which includes Mia Goth who recently appeared in Ti West’s MaXXXine. Alongside Goth, Aaron Pierre, and Delroy Lindo were also previously announced to be featured in the movie led by Ali. However, Pierre was reportedly out of his undisclosed role, “As the project evolved, I’m no longer part of that,” he told Variety.
With several developmental issues, Blade which was announced back in 2019, would seemingly reach Phase 6 as the project is still under development and Disney or Marvel are seemingly not in a hurry despite a reported budget of $100 million adding to its account to produce the movie.
Blade was originally scheduled for a November 3, 2023 release but as the team of the movie including the director has changed, it is now slated for a November 7, 2025, theatrical debut. However, considering the delays in the project, the Ali-led highly anticipated movie may enter Phase 6 as well.
