Mahershala Ali on the stalled production of ‘Blade’: “Call Marvel, let them know I’m ready”
The Oscar-winning actor is just as in the dark as fans when it comes to the long-delayed Marvel reboot.
It’s been nearly six years since Mahershala Ali was announced as the new Eric Brooks, aka Blade, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But despite the initial excitement, the project has become one of Marvel Studios’ most troubled productions. With no director, no finalized script, and no release date, the reboot remains in limbo—and Ali is growing increasingly candid about the situation.
“I’d love for ‘Blade’ to happen…”
Speaking to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter during the premiere of Jurassic World: Rebirth, Ali didn’t mince words:
“Call Marvel. I’m ready. Let them know I’m ready.”
He added,
“I would love for 'Blade’ to happen; we’ll see, I don’t know where Marvel is at right now. I’m just looking for the next great part, I really am.”
Ali’s comments reflect growing frustration over the lack of progress. Despite being the one who originally pitched the reboot to Marvel back in 2019, he now seems to be waiting—just like everyone else.
A production plagued by setbacks
Since its announcement, the new ‘Blade’ has cycled through multiple directors and writers.
- Bassam Tariq was originally attached to direct but exited in 2022.
- Yann Demange stepped in, only to leave the project in 2024.
- Writers including Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Beau DeMayo, Michael Green, and Eric Pearson have all been linked to the script at various points.
Even David S. Goyer, who wrote the original Blade trilogy starring Wesley Snipes, offered to help but was turned down.
“My agent called Marvel and asked, ‘Do you need help?’ They said, ‘We love you, but we think we’ve got it figured out,’” Goyer told Happy Sad Confused.
He later admitted he was “baffled” by the state of the project, saying:
“Blade is a relatively simple story… it should have brutal fights, be scary, maybe R-rated, and not be complicated.”
Marvel Studios removed 'Blade’ from its release calendar in late 2024, after multiple delays. Originally slated for November 2023, then pushed to 2025, the film now has no official date. Despite this, Marvel president Kevin Feige has reiterated that the studio remains committed to the character and to Ali’s portrayal.
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