Mahershala Ali shares promising “Blade” update amid delays: 'I'm sincerely encouraged'

“I think we’ll be back at it relatively soon,” the 'Leave the World Behind' actor tells EW.

Marvel Studios’ Blade has faced several delays since its initial announcement, but star Mahershala Ali remains optimistic about the project.

In an interview with EW about Netflix’s Leave the World Behind, Ali gave an update on the super-vampire movie. “We’re working on it. That’s the best I could tell you,” the actor says. “I’m really encouraged with the direction of the project. I think we’ll be back at it relatively soon.”

The film was originally announced in 2019 without a release date or director attached. Mogul Mowgli filmmaker Bassam Tariq was later hired to direct the film, with Watchmen’s Stacy Osei-Kuffour writing the screenplay. At San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, Blade set a release date of Nov. 3, 2023; shortly thereafter, Tariq departed the project. Lovecraft Country director Yann Demange was then tapped to take over directing duties, and the film was delayed to September 2024.

Preproduction on the movie halted in May due to the Hollywood writers’ strike, and at the conclusion of the actors’ strike, Marvel reshuffled its upcoming slate, leaving Blade with a release date of Nov. 7, 2025. Following numerous drafts and screenwriters, Logan and Alien: Covenant writer Michael Green is now penning the project, which will also reportedly star Aaron Pierre, Delroy Lindo, and Mia Goth.

“I’m sincerely encouraged in terms of where things are at and who’s on board and who’s leading the way as far as the writing of the script and the directing and all that,” Ali continues. “So that’s the extent of what I can tell you.”

Ali made a brief voice cameo as Blade in the post-credits scene of 2021’s Eternals. He’ll next star in Leave the World Behind, which hits Netflix this Friday.

—Reporting by Lauren Huff.

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