Marvel’s highly anticipated Blade movie has hit another snag as the second director, Yann Demange, has exited the project. This news comes after Bassam Tariq also left the film in 2021. The departure of Demange, who was brought on board in 2022, has left the project in a state of uncertainty regarding its creative direction.
According to reports from The Wrap, Demange’s departure was an amicable one, but it still adds to the long list of setbacks the Blade movie has faced since its announcement in 2019. The film was initially met with excitement as it was set to star Oscar winner Mahershala Ali in the lead role of the iconic vampire hunter.
The writing team for the Blade movie has also seen changes, with MCU veteran writer Eric Pearson currently working on the script. However, Pearson is building off the work of four previous writers, adding to the project’s lack of consistency. At one point, there were concerns that Ali might even leave the project as Blade’s role was reduced to the “fourth lead” in the film.
In addition to the creative changes, the planned production start was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, further pushing back the release date. Originally set for a 2023 release, Blade is now slated to hit theaters on November 7, 2025. Despite these setbacks, Mahershala Ali remains attached to the project, showing his commitment to bringing the iconic character to life on the big screen.
Marvel, too, seems dedicated to getting the Blade movie right, especially with Disney CEO Bob Iger’s recent announcement about reducing the number of Marvel films released each year. This shift in strategy could mean that the studio is focusing on quality over quantity, giving Blade the time and attention it needs to become a standout film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With other highly anticipated projects like Deadpool and Wolverine already in the pipeline, Blade has the opportunity to take its time and ensure that everything is in place for a successful and memorable moviegoing experience. Despite the challenges it has faced, there is hope that Blade will rise above the setbacks and deliver a film that does justice to the beloved character and story.