The Turbulent Journey of Marvel's Blade: Mahershala Ali's Casting to Endless Delays and Setbacks

It may be hard to believe, but it has been four years since Marvel Studios initially announced that Mahershala Ali would be taking on the iconic role of Blade in a new film. However, the production of the film has been plagued by various issues over the years, causing delays and setbacks.The troubles began when the original director left the project, leading to a revolving door of screenwriters attempting to tackle the script.

As a result, the release date for Blade has been repeatedly pushed back, much to the frustration of eager fans.According to recent reports, filming was scheduled to begin in Atlanta last June, but hit a roadblock when the writers unexpectedly went on strike. This strike had a significant impact on Blade, making it one of the first major films to feel the effects of the labor dispute.

In an effort to salvage the project, it was announced that Nic Pizzolatto, known for his work on True Detective, would be brought in to rework the script. Previous attempts at the script were made by Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Michael Starrbury, and Beau DeMayo.Despite these efforts, there are now rumors circulating that another rewrite is in the works.

World of Reel has reported that the latest version of the script is undergoing a complete overhaul, indicating a lack of confidence in the current direction of the project. French director Yann Demange, known for his work on '71, is still attached to the film, but it remains unclear if actors Mia Goth, Delroy Lindo, and Aaron Pierre will still be involved.With a tentative release date of February 14, 2025, Blade still has a chance to hit its mark, but much will depend on the resolution of the ongoing actors' strike.

The uncertainty surrounding the project has left fans anxious and wondering if they will ever get to see Ali don the vampire hunter's iconic leather trench coat and sunglasses on the big screen.