Blade Trilogy Writer on MCU Reboot Delay: 'Why So Long?'

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 seemingly stalled Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reboot of the iconic character. Despite being announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, the project has faced numerous setbacks, leaving fans wondering if it will ever see the light of day.

Recent statements from those involved paint a bleak picture. Rapper and artist Flying Lotus, who was set to compose music for the film, took to X/Twitter to confirm the project's demise. "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, reflecting on his experience and the film's uncertain future. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter, known for her work on Sinners, also revealed on The John Campea Show that she was set to design for a 1920s-themed Blade, adding to the list of lost potential.

Actor Delroy Lindo, who was attached to the project alongside Mahershala Ali, shared his disappointment in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He mentioned the initial enthusiasm and inclusivity of the project, which ultimately "went off the rails" for reasons unknown. The film cycled through multiple directors, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, none of whom stayed long enough to see the project through.

Just seven months ago, Blade was removed from Marvel's release schedule, and no new date has been set. Despite this, Feige reassured fans in an interview with Omelete in November 2024, stating, "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. But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU."

David S. Goyer, who penned the original trilogy and directed Blade: Trinity, expressed his confusion and eagerness to contribute, telling ScreenRant, “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.”

Meanwhile, the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which featured Wesley Snipes reprising his role as Blade in a cameo, has reignited interest in the character. The film grossed $1.3 billion globally, prompting Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds to advocate for a send-off film for Snipes' Blade, similar to Hugh Jackman's Logan. Reynolds credits the original Blade films with paving the way for superhero cinema, stating on X/Twitter, "There is no Fox Marvel Universe or MCU without Blade first creating a market. He’s Marvel Daddy. Please retweet for a Logan-like send-off."

Reynolds is also in the "early stages" of developing a Deadpool and X-Men ensemble film, as reported by THR. In this project, Deadpool would not be the main focus, instead sharing the stage with three or four other X-Men characters, allowing them to be "used in unexpected ways."

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