Blade Trilogy Writer on MCU Reboot: 'Why the Delay?'

The writer of the Wesley Snipes' Blade trilogy, David S. Goyer, has expressed his readiness to assist Marvel chief Kevin Feige in revitalizing Mahershala Ali's stalled MCU reboot of the iconic vampire hunter. Despite initial excitement, the project has encountered numerous setbacks, leaving fans uncertain about its future.

Last month, rapper and artist Flying Lotus took to X/Twitter to share that he was set to compose music for the new Blade film before the project fell through. "I guess we are so far from it even being a possibility now but. Yeah I was signed on to write music for the new BLADE movie before it fell thru," he stated, hinting at the project's uncertain revival. Flying Lotus, who recently directed Shudder's new sci-fi horror film ASH, expressed doubt about the film's return but noted it would have been a fun endeavor.

Just a day before Flying Lotus' tweet, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, known for her work on Sinners, confirmed on The John Campea Show that she was slated to work on Blade's costumes before the production collapsed. The film was envisioned to be set in the 1920s, promising unique and intriguing costume and production designs.

Actor Delroy Lindo, who was briefly attached to star alongside Mahershala Ali, shared his perspective with Entertainment Weekly. He described how Marvel initially sought his input, promising an inclusive and exciting project. "When Marvel came to me, they seemed to be really interested in my input... And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails," he remarked, highlighting the project's sudden derailment.

Blade was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, with an intended release in November of the current year. The film has seen several directors, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, come and go without finalizing the project.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, David S. Goyer voiced his confusion about the delays, stating, "I would," when asked about writing the reboot. "I’ve always loved the character and I love him. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines wondering, ‘What in the world is going on? Why is it taking so long?’ Because I’m a huge Marvel fan myself, and I’ve just been totally puzzled."

Seven months ago, Blade was removed from Marvel's release schedule, and no new date has been confirmed. However, in November 2024, Kevin Feige reassured fans in an interview with Omelete that Marvel remains committed to the project. "We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala's take on him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still figuring out how it fits into our schedule, we let the audience know. You're all up to date on what's happening," he said. "But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU."

Meanwhile, the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine, featuring a cameo by Wesley Snipes as Blade, was a massive success, grossing $1.3 billion globally. Ryan Reynolds, who played Deadpool, advocated for a send-off film for Snipes' Blade, similar to Hugh Jackman's Logan, recognizing Blade's pivotal role in paving the way for superhero cinema. "There is no Fox Marvel Universe or MCU without Blade first creating a market," Reynolds posted on X/Twitter. "He’s Marvel Daddy. Please retweet for a Logan-like send-off."

Earlier this month, Reynolds was reported to be in the "early stages" of developing a Deadpool and X-Men film, as per THR. The project would not center solely on Deadpool but would feature him alongside three or four other X-Men characters, allowing them to take the spotlight and be "used in unexpected ways."

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