David S. Goyer, the writer behind the original “Blade” trilogy, has expressed interest in writing Marvel’s long-awaited reboot of “Blade” starring Mahershala Ali.
In an interview with ScreenRant, Goyer revealed that he would be eager to take on the project if Marvel Studios reaches out. He has a deep connection to the character, having written all three films in the original Blade series, and even directed Blade: Trinity in 2004. “I’ve always loved the character,” Goyer said. “I’ve been sitting on the sidelines wondering, ‘What in the world is going on?’ I’m a huge Marvel fan myself, and I’m just puzzled.”
Marvel first announced Ali’s casting as Blade in July 2019, but the film’s development has faced numerous setbacks. Several writers and directors have come and gone over the years. Bassam Tariq was initially attached as director but left the project in September 2022, just months before production was set to begin. Other writers, including Watchmen’s Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Michael Starrbury, have also worked on the script. The most recent director, Yann Demange, departed the film in June 2023.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige spoke about the delays during his “Deadpool & Wolverine” press tour, emphasizing that the studio is in no rush to get the film right. “The most important thing for us is not rushing it,” Feige said. “We want to make sure we are making the right ‘Blade’ movie.”
Reports from Variety in November 2023 revealed that “Blade” had gone through at least five different writers. At one point, the story even shifted to focus on female-led narratives and life lessons. Despite these changes, sources indicated that Marvel is still committed to the film, though it might be made on a smaller budget of under $100 million. The studio removed “Blade” from its release calendar last fall.
Feige reassured fans about the future of the character, telling Omelete (via IGN), “We are committed to Blade. We love the character. We love Mahershala’s take on him. Rest assured, the character will indeed make it to the MCU.”
Blade, portrayed by Wesley Snipes, made a memorable appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, which grossed $1.3 billion globally. In the film, Blade humorously quips to Deadpool, “There’s only been one Blade. There will only ever be one Blade.”
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