Marvel Studios’ Delayed Blade Film Still Promises High Stakes and Star Power

From Script Shuffles to Director Exits: Mahershala Ali’s Presistence is keeping the MCU’s ‘Blade’ alive.

Published

June 21, 2024

By Jordan Avery

Jordan Avery is a seasoned entertainment journalist with five years of experience, currently serving as a staff writer for Nerdspin. He specializes in covering all things Marvel, Star Wars, and…

Jordan Avery is a seasoned entertainment journalist with five years of experience, currently serving as a staff writer…

Key Takeaways

Blade transitions to a present-day setting with Mahershala Ali leading as Blade, promising a film as culturally impactful as Black Panther.

Despite numerous changes, including directors and writers, the Blade project perseveres with a finalized script expected in Summer 2024.

Mia Goth remains attached in her role as Lilith, adding star power and intrigue to the evolving Blade narrative.

Marvel Studios’ much-anticipated Blade reboot has seen its share of ups and downs, but with Hollywood heavyweight Mahershala Ali at the helm as the titular vampire hunter, the film is gearing up to be a cultural milestone reminiscent of Black Panther‘s impact. Set to bring a modern twist to the classic Blade saga, the film now unfolds in the present day, a significant shift from its originally planned 1920s setting.

The journey of Blade‘s script is a tale of creativity and perseverance. Starting in February 2021, Marvel enlisted Watchmen‘s Stacy Osei-Kuffour to craft the narrative. The baton was then passed to Beau DeMayo (X-Men ’97) in Fall 2022, who initially reimagined the story as a period piece. With the writers’ strike looming in April 2023, Marvel secured True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto, reuniting him with Mahershala Ali, to add his signature touch.

The project encountered turbulence with the departure of original director Bassam Tariq. However, resilience is key in Hollywood, and Michael Starrbury, acclaimed for When They See Us, was brought in to steer the script in a new direction under the guidance of new director Yann Demange. The script saw another evolution in Fall 2023 when Michael Green, known for his work on Logan and Blade Runner 2049, contributed his expertise.

As Summer 2024 approaches, the director’s chair has seen yet another change, with Eric Pearson, a seasoned Marvel scriptwriter whose credits include Thor: Ragnarok and Black Widow, stepping in to bring the project across the finish line.

Mia Goth will still be playing Lilith in ‘BLADE’ despite all of the MCU films production issues

Amid these changes, two constants remain: Mahershala Ali’s commitment to making Blade a landmark film and the addition of Hollywood ‘it girl’ Mia Goth. Goth, confirmed to portray the enigmatic Lilith, adds another layer of intrigue to the film. Her role, though shrouded in mystery, is eagerly anticipated by fans.

Blade‘s production may have been fraught with challenges, but the film’s core—its leading stars and the innovative spirit of its creative team—suggests that the final product will be well worth the wait. As the script finalizes this summer and heads into production, both long-time Marvel fans and newcomers should ready themselves for a film that aims to redefine superhero cinema.