The next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will bring Blade into the mix with a brand new reboot, and Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali is taking over the vampire-slaying role.
Announced earlier this year, Marvel was set to begin shooting Blade this November for a release in theaters on November 3, 2023, with Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) directing.
Those plans have changed, however. Variety reports today that just two months prior to the start of production, director Bassam Tariq has exited the project as director.
“It’s been an honor working with the wonderful folks at Marvel. We were able to put together a killer cast and crew. Eager to see where the next director takes the film,” Tariq said in a statement, with Variety reporting that he’ll stay on board as executive producer.
No word yet on how this will impact the Blade movie’s current release plan, but we’ll of course be keeping our ear to the ground and we’ll report more as this story develops.
Stacy Osei-Kuffour (“Watchmen”) was recently brought on board to write the script for Blade, which has a cast including Aaron Pierre (Old) and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods).
The vampire-slaying character was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan, introduced in July 1973’s The Tomb of Dracula #10. Wesley Snipes played Blade across three films from 1998 through 2004, and he was played by Sticky Fingaz in a short-lived TV series.
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