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Mahershala Ali confirms Marvel's Blade reboot is cancelled

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Mahershala Ali confirmed that Marvel's planned reboot of the Blade film franchise is no longer moving forward.
  • Ali, who was attached to play the vampire-hunting antihero, expressed that the project's cancellation was due to Marvel's lack of commitment.
  • The actor stated he is ready to move past the Blade questions and focus on other opportunities, reflecting on his nearly 30-year career.

Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali has confirmed that the highly anticipated Marvel reboot of Blade, in which he was set to star, is officially dead. Ali, who had been attached to play the vampire-hunting antihero since 2019, expressed that the project's demise was a result of Marvel's indecision and lack of commitment.

If they wanted to do it, we would’ve done it.

— Mahershala AliAli confirmed the Blade reboot is no longer moving forward.

"If they wanted to do it, we would’ve done it," Ali stated in a recent GQ interview, suggesting the project stalled due to a lack of clear direction from Marvel executives. He added, "I feel ready to move on from the Blade questions. Those questions are for them. They didn’t want to do it, so they should answer that question." His comments follow remarks from Marvel head Kevin Feige, who reportedly felt like a "gigantic loser" for failing to get the project off the ground.

I feel ready to move on from the Blade questions. Those questions are for them. They didn’t want to do it, so they should answer that question.

— Mahershala AliAli expressed his readiness to leave the Blade project behind.

The Blade reboot had been mired in development hell for years, with various directors and screenwriters attached and detached. At one point, Bassam Tariq was set to direct, but he departed the project. Ali and Tariq have since collaborated on the revenge thriller "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother." Ali admitted he "didn’t feel great about the fact that things finished the way that they did" with the Blade reboot, though he had previously lent his voice to the character in a post-credits scene in the 2021 film "Eternals."

I’ve been doing this professionally for pushing 30 years now, and one thing I’ve learned is that what is for you is for you and what is not is not.

— Mahershala AliAli reflected on his career and the nature of opportunities.

Reflecting on his career, Ali, who has won two best supporting actor Oscars, noted that some of the quiet period in his filmography has not been entirely by his own choice. He emphasized his belief that "what is for you is for you and what is not is not." Ali's upcoming projects include voice roles in the animated adventure "Wildwood" and the third "Spider-Verse" installment, as well as roles in "Jurassic World Rebirth" and "Leave the World Behind."

I didn’t feel great about the fact that things finished the way that they did.

— Mahershala AliAli commented on the outcome of the Blade reboot.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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