Blade film starring Mahershala Ali reportedly axed

The long-awaited Blade movie appears to have met its final demise. The once-promising Marvel Cinematic Universe project has faced numerous obstacles in recent years, but now seems permanently shelved - robbing fans of Mahershala Ali's portrayal as the iconic Daywalker, arguably the MCU's most devastating cancellation.

Musician Flying Lotus recently revealed on X/Twitter his involvement in the doomed production: "I was signed to compose music for the new BLADE movie before it collapsed. Though we're now far from it happening, I wish it had worked out - that would've been exciting." The artist, fresh off directing Shudder's sci-fi horror film ASH, added: "Maybe it'll resurface someday, but prospects seem dim."

The Blood-Soaked Disappointment

Just before Flying Lotus' revelation, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter confirmed her scrapped involvement during an appearance on The John Campea Show. The Black Panther designer shared heartbreaking details about the project's ambitious 1920s setting - a period that would have enabled groundbreaking costume and production design never before seen in vampire lore.

Adding to the trifecta of bad news, actor Delroy Lindo (who was cast alongside Ali) recently told Entertainment Weekly about the project's collapse: "Marvel genuinely valued my creative input during development. The collaborative energy with producers, writers and the director felt special - until everything derailed unexpectedly."

Originally announced at 2019's San Diego Comic-Con with a planned 2024 release, Blade cycled through multiple directors including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq before ultimately flatlining. The project's removal from Marvel's schedule last October marked its final nail in the coffin - though studio head Kevin Feige continues insisting the character will eventually join the MCU.

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Feige maintained in a November 2024 interview with Omelete: "We remain dedicated to bringing Blade to life. Mahershala's interpretation excites us, and while we adjust our release strategy, rest assured the character will join the MCU when the time is right." However, after years of development hell, fans remain rightfully skeptical about the vampire hunter's cinematic future.