Highlights
- Blade reboot faces multiple rewrites and director changes, delaying production significantly.
- Actor Mahershala Ali drove the project, wants to ensure the story aligns with his vision.
- Marvel Studios must prioritize quality over rushing the project to avoid potential failure.
When it comes to its feature films, Marvel Studios tends to follow a simple pattern. Hire a writer, then pitch the film to directors before approaching talent to appear in the film. It’s something that has worked for projects like Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel and even the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. However, when it comes to Blade, it appears Marvel Studios has taken an entirely new approach to its process.
First announced during San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Marvel Studios’ Blade was a huge addition to the studio’s already impressive line-up for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even more impressive, the studio had already secured Mahershala Ali to lead the film without a script. Now, the studio has brought in a rumored five different writers, and has gone through two directors, with reports suggesting the script is being rewritten yet again. With no director on hand now, it’s time for Marvel Studios to rethink the project yet again.
Blade’s Messy Pre-Production Woes
Marvel Studios’ Blade reboot has had nothing but trouble since being announced. With COVID, there was a fair amount of reshuffling on Marvel’s end, with most of the studio’s films being pushed out. Unfortunately, after Hollywood finally reopened, the project would then end up being delayed due to the strikes in Hollywood. As it stands, the movie was expected to go into production in November 2022 after securing a director. However, the film was put on hold at the last minute, and director Bassam Tariq ultimately left the movie.
Tariq was later replaced by Yann Demange, who had been very vocal regarding his excitement over tackling the film and securing an R-rating for the project. Sadly, Demange exited the project not too long ago, with the news having been confirmed earlier this week. While it’s unclear why the director left the project, with the exit said to be amicable, it is worth noting the movie has since brought in another writer to work on the film. Per the trades, Eric Pearson, who worked on Marvel Studios’ Black Widow film, is said to be the latest writer taking a pass on the script.
Pearson is reported to be the fifth writer to tackle the screenplay. It is worth noting that Stacy Osei-Kuffour was listed as the only writer on the film back in 2021. However, since she was originally announced as the movie’s writer, Marvel Studios has reportedly brought in True Detective‘s Nic Pizzolatto, Michael Green, and Michael Starrbury to also tweak the screenplay. The movie was originally rumored to be a period piece, with reports suggesting it failed to center on Ali’s Blade. However, it’s said to have undergone massive rewrites, leaving the plot unclear. In the end, Blade won’t move forward until both Ali and Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige are happy with the film. Which begs the question: why is Marvel so keen on trying to move forward when the screenplay isn’t even set?
Marvel is Right to Take its Time with Blade
One of the most exciting aspects of Blade is that Ali approached Marvel Studios about a Blade reboot. It was his interest that resulted in Marvel Studios announcing the project in the first place. With that in mind, it’s understandable why the studio is working so hard to ensure the actor is happy with the story. It was his passion for the character that resulted in the project being developed, after all. The actor had previously teased that they were getting close to being ready with the screenplay, suggesting he was still very much involved in overseeing the project. However, little to no news has been announced outside of Demange’s surprise departure.
With no director on hand now, Marvel Studios needs to focus on the story first and foremost rather than moving ahead with its search for another director. Following two years of uncertainty and less-than-stellar reviews and box office returns, both Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Disney’s Bob Iger have stated the studio needs to turn its focus to quality over quantity.
With Blade, that’s especially true. As exciting as a Blade reboot is, it’ll have a lot to live up to. While the overall trilogy wasn’t well-received, the first Blade movie from New Line has become a comic book classic. From a stellar performance by Wesley Snipes to a well-written script and a true understanding of the character, Blade is still seen as one of the best comic book adaptations to this day. Trying to rush a reboot is a bad idea. Marvel Studios needs to take its time and focus on the script before it approaches another director, unless it wants to run the risk of losing a third director due to creative differences and/or delays, too. Blade can be a success, especially with an actor of Ali’s caliber attached to the star, but it’ll only succeed if done right. If that means delaying the project again, then that’s what Marvel Studios needs to do.
Blade is currently set to hit theaters on November 7th, 2025. It’s unclear if the film will retain that release date, however, with the screenplay still not set and a director no longer attached.
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