Mahershala Ali says Blade 'ready,' awaits Marvel's plan

Mahershala Ali has provided several updates about Marvel's long-delayed Blade movie while promoting his new film Jurassic World Rebirth, though none paint an optimistic picture.

Blade was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, with initial plans targeting a November 2024 release. However, the troubled production has cycled through multiple directors, and now—six years after its announcement—Mahershala Ali’s Blade remains nowhere in sight.

It’s been eight months since Blade was removed from Marvel’s release schedule, and the studio still hasn't confirmed a new date. Despite this, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige assured fans last November that the project hadn’t been scrapped altogether.

"We're committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala's portrayal," Feige told Omelete. "Rest assured, when we adjust plans or refine how a project fits into our slate, we communicate that. You're up to speed on everything—but I can confirm Blade will join the MCU."

But what does Ali himself say? When pressed by Variety, the Oscar-winning actor offered a terse response unlikely to reassure fans: "Talk to Marvel. I'm ready—tell them I'm ready."

The Hollywood Reporter pursued further clarification, to which Ali elaborated slightly—though his remarks still suggested minimal progress. "I'd love Blade to happen. Who knows where Marvel stands right now? Personally, I'm just seeking my next compelling role," he said.

Other creatives attached to earlier iterations have since confirmed the project’s collapse. In April, musician Flying Lotus revealed on X/Twitter that his involvement evaporated when Marvel abandoned plans. "Signed on to score Blade before it fell apart. Doubt it'll revive, but would've been cool," he wrote.

The day before Flying Lotus' post, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter confirmed on The John Campea Show that she was initially hired for Blade—a 1920s-set story—before pre-production unraveled.

Actor Delroy Lindo—once cast alongside Ali—also acknowledged the project’s implosion in an Entertainment Weekly interview. "Marvel genuinely valued my creative input during discussions with writers and directors," he said. "The concept was thrilling, the character dynamic exciting—then suddenly, everything derailed."

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Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine—featuring Wesley Snipes' surprise Blade cameo—earned $1.3 billion globally. Ryan Reynolds has since advocated for Snipes to receive a Logan-style finale, crediting 1998's Blade with paving the way for modern superhero cinema.

"The Fox Marvel Universe and MCU wouldn't exist without Blade breaking ground first," Reynolds tweeted. "He’s Marvel’s founding father. Retweet if you want Wesley’s Blade to get the send-off he deserves."