MOVIE NEWS – Just like Edgar Wright’s lost Ant-Man vision, Marvel’s long-troubled Blade reboot appears to be stuck in development limbo. After repeated delays, Marvel Studios has pulled the project from its schedule indefinitely. Delroy Lindo, who was once cast alongside Mahershala Ali as the legendary Daywalker, recently opened up about the project’s exciting early stages—before, as he put it, things went “off the rails.”

While promoting the upcoming horror film Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Ryan Coogler, Delroy Lindo sat down with Entertainment Weekly and reflected on his brief involvement with Marvel’s Blade. “When Marvel approached me, they seemed genuinely interested in hearing what I had to say,” Lindo recalled. The reboot was originally announced back in 2019, with Kevin Feige introducing Mahershala Ali as the new Blade. Since then, the film has been plagued by external obstacles like COVID and the SAG-AFTRA/WGA strikes—alongside plenty of internal issues as well.

Though Lindo officially exited the project in October 2023 after the film was pulled from the release slate, he remained diplomatic about the chaos behind the scenes. Still, he offered fans a glimpse into the film’s promising beginnings. “In my talks with the producers, the writer, and the director at the time, the creative process felt really inclusive,” he said. “It was exciting from a conceptual point of view, and also exciting in terms of the character being built. And then, for reasons I still don’t understand, it just went off the rails.”

Is There Still Hope for Blade?

Marvel has not officially canceled Blade, but it’s been shelved indefinitely. With no release window or production schedule, the film exists in limbo—a space that often spells doom for even completed projects, as DC’s Batgirl fans know all too well. Yet, some hope remains.

Mahershala Ali is still onboard, and fans remain hopeful that the Oscar-winner will do justice to the legacy of Wesley Snipes. Modern horror star Mia Goth is also attached, though her role hasn’t been revealed. Many believe she’s set to play the main villain, Lilith, a character from Marvel’s darker mythos.

The major problem: there’s no director. Following Yann Demange’s departure in June 2023, Marvel Studios has yet to secure a replacement. Rumors vary—some say a new filmmaker is being sought, while others claim Marvel has cooled on the idea altogether. Until something changes, Blade remains a ghost in the MCU’s future lineup.

source: Entertainment Weekly