Mahershala Ali’sBlademovie will not be coming soon. Ali was announced as theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s Blade actor back in 2019. Since then, the star has only appeared in the franchise through a voice cameo inEternals. TheMCU’s Blade moviehas suffered from multiple delays and behind-the-scenes issues. The film is currently without a director, after having lost original director Bassam Tariq in 2022 and replacement Yann Demange in June. Now, theannounced MCU movieis looking even further away from happening following a major update.
Marvel has delayedBladeindefinitely, taking the MCU movie off its previously scheduled July 28, 2025,slot.Predator:Badlandswill now debut in Blade’s previous slot. Marvel Studios has also set three dates for untitled MCU movies planned for July 21, 2025, June 09, 2025, and July 21, 2025. After having faced multiple delays, it seemed unlikely thatBladewould meet its release date, and Marvel has finally confirmed what was expected, withBladenow off the MCU’s schedule for 2025, which could lead toBladelosing cast membersand more.
What Blade’s Release Slate Removal Means
Blade’s MCU Debut Could Take Some Time
Blade’s delay comes as no surprise.The MCU has three other films scheduled for release in 2025. WhileCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderbolts*have finished filming andThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsis currently in production,Bladeis still without a director and no start date in sight. The movie had already been delayed multiple times, lost major cast members, and had reports claiming that star Mahershala Ali was growing frustrated with the process and previous versions of the film’s script.
How Blade’s Movie Delays Could Make Wesley Snipes MCU Return Dreams Come True
Blade has been delayed a few times by Marvel, giving them the opportunity to let Wesley Snipes come back as the character for the upcoming MCU movie.
Delaying the film so that Marvel can get the best possible version ofBladeon the big screen is a fine choice. However, at 50, Ali is not growing any younger, which could lead to Marvel having to recast Blade before he debuts. There aretwo release dates for untitled MCU movies: February 13 and July 09, 2025.Bladecould be delayed by a year, taking that November slot. However, Marvel might already have films for those slots, likeDoctor Strange 3, and sinceBladeis not crucial to the Multiverse Saga, it could be delayed even further.
Our Take On Marvel Removing Blade From The MCU Release Slate
It Is Not Looking Good For Mahershala Ali
I believe that if Marvel had plans to moveBladeto any of the studio’s 2026 slots, that would have been announced. Instead, it is looking more likely that the MCU movie will be held back until the Multiverse Saga concludes on June 21, 2025, with the release ofAvengers: Secret Wars. At 50 and having waited since 2019 to star in the Blade movie, I fear that Ali will grow tired and depart the project. That said, the character could easily debut after the Multiverse Saga is over, soBladebeing delayed indefinitely is not the most shocking choice.
Marvel Studios' Blade
Cast
Marvel Studios' Blade sees the return of the iconic vampire hunter more than two decades after Wesley Snipes first played the character in live-action. Starring Mahershala Ali as Eric Brooks, the Blade reboot officially introduces vampires to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Eternals' second post-credits scene teased the Daywalker’s MCU debut.
