Summary
- Mahershala Ali's Blade movie has faced many delays and changes in the 5 years since it was announced.
- The MCU could potentially alter the Blade movie to include a team-up with Wesley Snipes' Blade thanks to the multiverse.
- As a backup plan, Marvel could save the Blade movie for Phase 7, possibly leading to a recast due to Ali's age.
It has been five years since Mahershala Ali was announced as MCU's Blade reboot is finally on the right track after years of issues.
At least when Marvel Studios recently changed some movie dates, Blade remained in its current November 2025 slot. That gives me hope the movie will make the date; however, I can't help but think Marvel will later announce that Blade is moving again. With plenty of issues to get the movie's story right, I think Marvel can use Blade's star-studded cast in a different way. There are a few paths Marvel could take to rework the movie to make Mahershala Ali's Blade a hit, and Deadpool & Wolverine offers a great solution to the film's troubles.
What’s Going On With Marvel’s Blade Movie
Though production on the film has been plagued with delays and crew changes, the MCU's Blade reboot is still very much expected to go on.
I'd Love To See A Blade Team-Up Movie With Mahershala Ali And Wesley Snipes
Marvel Could Use The Multiverse While It's Here
Wesley Snipes, the original cinematic Blade actor, returned as his version of the character in Deadpool & Wolverine. Snipes looked great in the role, not missing a beat as Blade. The movie showed that he can still deliver the same classic R-rated action and snarky dialogue his Blade became known for. After such an exciting performance, I want to see more of Snipes' Blade, and I think the MCU could take advantage of the Multiverse Saga and strike while the iron is hot, reworking Mahershala Ali's Blade movie to be a team-up with Snipes.
Before Deadpool & Wolverine, fans were already comparing Snipes to Ali without a single minute of footage of the MCU actor in the role. After the movie, Snipes' performance led to some thinking he should get a new movie, with Ali's Blade canceled. I disagree with the latter, but I think a Snipes Blade movie could be what the MCU needs, serving as a formal ing of the baton from Snipes to Ali. The MCU's Blade will be R-rated, so it could be the Logan-like Blade movie Ryan Reynolds suggested for Snipes, which I would love to see.
Ryan Reynolds’ Wesley Snipes Blade Movie Idea Would Be The Perfect Deadpool & Wolverine Spinoff
Ryan Reynolds has suggested an idea for a final Blade solo movie with Wesley Snipes, and that story would be the perfect send-off for the Marvel hero.
Marvel Could Turn Blade Into My Most Anticipated MCU Team Movie: Midnight Sons
The MCU Has Been Slowly Moving Toward The Supernatural Team
Another way Marvel could rework the Blade movie if Snipes doesn't return is to transform it into a true team flick. There have been rumors that a Midnight Sons project will come soon, and I sure believe them, as Marvel has been slowly introducing characters for the team. I love the Midnight Sons — and the excellent Midnight Suns game — and I am excited to see Marvel delve deep into the MCU's supernatural characters and what they have to offer. Mahershala Ali's Blade movie could be reworked into Blade being the leader of the Midnight Sons.
The film could focus on Blade putting the team together, which could bring back some fan favorites, instantly shining a spotlight on the film and Blade. Major MCU characters like Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange and Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch could become important of the Midnight Sons. Oscar Isaac's Moon Knight is another strong contender for the team, with Kit Harington's Dane Whitman becoming the Black Knight in the movie. The Werewolf by Night Special Presentation also introduced multiple possible Midnight Sons . With Marvel's renewed focus on franchises after recent woes, Blade turning into Midnight Sons would make sense.
Midnight Sons: 10 MCU Heroes Perfect For Blade's Supernatural Avengers
The MCU has introduced many supernatural characters in recent years, and with the absence of superhero teams, the Midnight Sons could form soon.
As A Last Resort, I Think Marvel Could Save The Blade Movie For Phase 7
That Might Create A Key Problem Though
With the MCU moving toward its Avengers movies next year — production on at least Avengers: Doomsday starts in 2025 — the timing might not be ideal for Ali's Blade reboot. I think that after five years of issues and with Blade currently not having a director, the movie could be taken off the release schedule and given a complete creative overhaul to prepare it for a release in Phase 7 after Avengers: Secret Wars. Ali's Blade could appear before then, debuting in Avengers: Doomsday and playing a role in multiple films before his Blade movie.
That said, I think Blade being delayed to Phase 7 could potentially mean a recast will have to happen. The MCU is rumored to go through a soft reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars. Ali would be at least 53 by then, and the actor might be too old to play Blade for a decade. While I would like to get at least a trilogy out of Ali as Blade, I understand that the movie's many delays might make it impossible, and if a recast could lead to Marvel Studios' Blade finally happening, then I would be all for it.
Blade (2025)
- Director
- Bassam Tariq
- Writers
- Stacy Osei-Kuffour
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cast
Delroy Lindo
Aaron Pierre
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.
