Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige gave an honest update this week in Burbank, and the headline-grabber was all about Blade.
As reported by Deadline, the long-awaited vampire-slayer reboot—first announced back in 2019 with two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali set to star—is still part of Marvel’s plans. But despite years of anticipation, the film has yet to begin production.
Kevin Feige gave a blunt and honest update on Blade this week, confirming the long-anticipated reboot is still on Marvel’s slate—but production remains on hold.
Speaking with Deadline, Feige revealed that Marvel has already gone through four different scripts for the film, including two period pieces—one reportedly styled like a 1930s noir—before finally landing on a modern-day version that’s now intended for Phase Six.
Despite that progress, the departures of directors Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange forced the studio to hit pause. “We didn’t feel confident,” Feige admitted. “You can start with a good script and make it great while shooting, but we refused to gamble that approach on Blade.”
Rather than rush Mahershala Ali into the black leather trench coat and hope things come together on set, Marvel is holding the project until the screenplay is unquestionably “great.” Feige emphasized the importance of honoring Blade’s R-rated roots—and maintaining Ali’s trust in the film. Rumors that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler would step in were dismissed, with Coogler currently focused on the third Black Panther film.
This update comes as Marvel recalibrates after underwhelming performances from Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World. Feige’s new strategy is focused on fewer releases with higher quality—cutting down to just one to three theatrical drops per year.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is now set to kick off Phase Six as a standalone adventure, while future Avengers installments shift away from Kang the Conqueror and toward the iconic villain Doctor Doom. Marvel has a new seven-year plan locked behind studio doors, teasing everything from mutant debuts and cosmic shake-ups to fresh vampire mythology.
And while Blade still doesn’t have an official release date, Feige made one thing clear: the Daywalker won’t return until the story, tone, budget, and director are all perfectly in sync.
