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

The writer behind the Wesley Snipes' Blade trilogy, David S. Goyer, has expressed his readiness to step in and help revitalize Mahershala Ali's long-awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reboot of the iconic vampire hunter. Despite the initial excitement surrounding the announcement of the film at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Blade has encountered numerous hurdles, leading to a prolonged stall with no clear path forward.

Recent updates have shed light on the project's uncertain future. Musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus, who was set to contribute to the film's score, took to social media to confirm that the project had been abandoned. "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 shared on X/Twitter, expressing doubt about its revival despite his enthusiasm for the project.

Similarly, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, known for her work on Sinners, revealed on The John Campea Show that she was lined up to design costumes for a 1920s-set Blade before the project disintegrated. This setting would have offered a unique aesthetic and storytelling opportunity, which fans and creatives alike are now mourning.

Actor Delroy Lindo, who was attached to star alongside Mahershala Ali, also spoke about the project's collapse in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He highlighted the initial inclusivity and excitement around the film, only to see it derail unexpectedly. "When Marvel came to me, they seemed to be really interested in my input... And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails," Lindo remarked.

The film, which has seen multiple directors come and go, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, was removed from Marvel's release schedule just seven months ago. Despite this setback, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige remains committed to bringing Blade to life. In an interview with Omelete in November 2024, Feige reassured fans, "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."

David S. Goyer, who penned the original Blade trilogy and directed Blade: Trinity, voiced his confusion and eagerness to contribute to the reboot. "I would," Goyer affirmed when asked about writing the new Blade film. "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."

In related news, the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine saw Wesley Snipes reprise his role as Blade in a cameo, contributing to the film's massive $1.3 billion global box office success. Ryan Reynolds, star of Deadpool, emphasized the significance of Snipes' Blade films, crediting them with paving the way for the superhero genre. "There is no Fox Marvel Universe or MCU without Blade first creating a market," Reynolds stated on X/Twitter, advocating for a send-off film for Snipes' character similar to Hugh Jackman's Logan.

Reynolds is also reportedly in the early stages of developing a Deadpool and X-Men ensemble film, as per The Hollywood Reporter. In this project, Deadpool would not be the central focus but would share the stage with several X-Men characters, allowing them to be "used in unexpected ways."

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