The Blade reboot set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been delayed by Disney.
Blade release date
Starring Mahershala Ali in the titular role, Blade was originally scheduled for a November 3rd, 2023 release. But earlier this week, it was revealed that Disney has moved the movie’s opening date to September 6th, 2024.
Given the interconnected storylines in the MCU, the significant delay for Blade caused Disney to overhaul the release schedule of its other MCU movies in development. Deadpool 3 moved from September 6th, 2024 to November 8th, 2024; Fantastic Four relocated from November 8th, 2024 to February 14th, 2025; an untitled Marvel relocated from February 14th, 2025 to November 7th, 2025; Avengers: Secret Wars was pushed from November 7th, 2025 to May 1st, 2026; and lastly, another yet-to-be-titled Marvel movie that was initially set to be released on May 1st, 2026 was removed from Disney’s calendar.
Why was Blade delayed?
The news of Blade’s yearlong postponement came after the movie lost its director Bassim Tarique in September. Following Tarique’s exit, Marvel decided to temporarily shut down production on the project, which was supposed to begin in Atlanta in November.
Putting Blade on hold gives Marvel ample time to select the right person to helm the movie. “They want to really get it right,” a source told The Hollywood Reporter (via ComicBook.com). Though it was initially thought that Marvel would quickly find a new director to replace Tariq, the studio has yet to announce a new filmmaker to spearhead the project.
Despite exiting as director, Tarique is still part of the movie. “Due to continued shifts in our production schedule, Bassam is no longer moving forward as director of Blade but will remain an executive producer on the film,” Marvel said in a statement, announcing Tarique’s departure as director. “We appreciate Bassam’s talent and all the work he’s done getting Blade to where it is.”
For his part, Tarique said, “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.”
While Tariq’s exit seems to be the movie’s biggest hurdle as of the moment, Hollywood scooper Jeff Sneider revealed that the project is facing other issues, including the alleged frustrations of Ali, as well as an alleged lack of focus from Marvel Studios and head Kevin Feige.
“I’m told that the current BLADE script is roughly 90 pages and features exactly TWO (lackluster) action sequences,” Sneider tweeted last month. “Mahershala said to be very frustrated with the process. Feige said to be spread too thin. But hey, that’s just what sources are telling me. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
ComicBook.com also confirmed that a new writer has been tapped to rewrite the script of the movie. As first reported by Murphy’s Multiverse, Moon Knight alum Beau DeMayo is actively rewriting the script first developed by Tariq and Watchmen writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour.
