Blade Trilogy Writer on MCU Reboot: 'Why the Delay?'

David S. Goyer, the acclaimed writer behind the Wesley Snipes-led Blade trilogy, has expressed his readiness to step in and help resolve the ongoing issues surrounding Mahershala Ali's Blade reboot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The project, once eagerly anticipated, has encountered numerous hurdles, leaving its future uncertain.

The troubles with the Blade reboot have been well-documented. Last month, Flying Lotus, a rapper and artist, shared on X/Twitter that he was initially signed on to compose the music for the film but the project had since fallen through. "I guess we are so far from it even being a possibility now but. Yeah I was signed on to write music for the new BLADE movie before it fell thru," he stated. Flying Lotus, who also directed the sci-fi horror film ASH for Shudder, expressed doubts about the project's revival but noted it would have been an exciting opportunity.

Just a day before Flying Lotus's revelation, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, known for her work on Sinners, confirmed on The John Campea Show that she was set to design costumes for Blade before its collapse. Carter mentioned the film was intended to be set in the 1920s, which would have offered unique and captivating costume and production designs.

Actor Delroy Lindo, who was slated to star alongside Mahershala Ali, also shared his disappointment with Entertainment Weekly. "When Marvel came to me, they seemed to be really interested in my input," Lindo said. He described the initial excitement and inclusiveness of the project, which ultimately derailed for unspecified reasons.

First announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, Blade was supposed to hit theaters in November of the current year. However, the film has seen multiple directors come and go, including Yann Demange and Bassam Tariq, without any making it to the finish line.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant, David S. Goyer expressed his confusion and eagerness to contribute to the reboot. "I would," Goyer affirmed when asked about writing the new Blade. "I’ve always loved the character and I love him. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines wondering, ‘What in the world is going on? Why is it taking so long?’ Because I’m a huge Marvel fan myself, and I’ve just been totally puzzled."

It's been seven months since Blade was removed from Marvel's release schedule, and no new date has been confirmed. However, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reassured fans in a November 2024 interview with Omelete that the studio remains committed to bringing Blade to the MCU. "We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala's take on him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still figuring out how it fits into our schedule, we let the audience know. You're all up to date on what's happening," Feige stated. "But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU."

Meanwhile, the MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine, which featured a cameo by Wesley Snipes as Blade, was a massive success, grossing $1.3 billion globally. Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds has advocated for Snipes' Blade to receive a farewell film similar to Hugh Jackman's Logan. "There is no Fox Marvel Universe or MCU without Blade first creating a market," Reynolds said on X/Twitter. "He’s Marvel Daddy. Please retweet for a Logan-like send-off."

Reynolds is reportedly in the early stages of developing a Deadpool and X-Men ensemble film, as per The Hollywood Reporter (THR). In this proposed project, Deadpool would share the spotlight with three or four other X-Men characters, with the aim of using them in unexpected ways.

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