The Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently the biggest provider of comic-adapted superhero stories with multi-layered plots. But the upcoming Blade reboot has been delayed so many times and faced so many changes that fans and the original actor of the role, Wesley Snipes himself, are doubting Marvel’s capacity to revive the character in theaters.

Wesley Snipes in Blade (1998)
Wesley Snipes in Blade (1998) | Credit: New Line Cinema

Over the past five years, the expected Blade sequel with Mahershala Ali has only been a disappointment for Marvel fans. Even after a major press release in 2019, the project has been contradicting itself with the change in directors, the changes in scripts, casting issues, and production uncertainties.

Wesley Snipes Speaks on Blade Delay

Blade
Blade (1998) | Credit: New Line Cinema

Wesley Snipes, who portrayed Blade in the initial trilogy, took a dig at Marvel. His recent social media post consists of a GIF of his portrayal as Blade, and he captioned the post, “Daywalkers make it look easy, don’t they?”

While Snipes addressed the fact that Marvel has struggled to reboot Blade, his comment also pointed at the effortless cool and style that he brought to the character in the late 90s and early 2000s. His response also reflected Marvel fans’ thoughts about project delays.

Although Snipes’ comment was lighthearted, it showed concern and increased impatience for the Blade reboot. Mahershala Ali, who is set to revive the Blade character, has been quite vocal about his casting and has continued to support the project’s direction.

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In an earlier interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ali reassured the fans and talked about the ongoing work behind the upcoming Blade movie. He said,

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. So that’s the extent of what I can tell you.

Meanwhile, speculations about Snipes’ cameo in Avengers: Secret Wars and other projects, also became a thing as the MCU is now dealing with the multiverse, and viewers have seen old Spideys return in Spider-Man: No Way Home as well. Addressing the speculations, Snipes said in an interview with ComicBook.com,

Never say never. As long as I’m healthy and in shape, I can rock with them. Yeah, as far as my predictions on if something like that happened in future, I don’t know. I don’t know. It seems to me if it would’ve happened, it would’ve happened already.

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As far as the Blade reboot is concerned, Ali’s commitment to getting the project done and investing time seems like a positive sign that will drive the project. Ali last appeared as Blade in the post-credits scene of Eternals, where his voice was heard at the end.

Mahershala Ali’s Attorney Opens Up About Blade Delays

Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali speaking at San Diego Comic Con International | Credits: Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore

Amid the ongoing setbacks, Mahershala Ali‘s attorney, Shelby Weiser, commented on the project’s troubled history. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Weiser revealed his disbelief in the project, saying,

That deal was in 2019, and they still haven’t shot it, which is pretty much the craziest thing in my professional experience.

Weiser’s comment also breaks out the uncertain nature of the Blade reboot. Ali officially joined the project in 2019, but the film has not started shooting yet as multiple directors have been hired and fired from the project, as well as multiple scripts that have been changed so far.

The latest change happened when the second director hired for Blade, Yann Demange, left the project due to creative differences with Marvel. This setback just added up to past setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic, SAG-AFTRA strikes, and so on.

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Marvel is still committed to producing the reboot, as production is scheduled to start late this year, hoping the series of setbacks will finally be over by then. Until then, Wesley Snipes’ remark serves as a reminder that even the biggest franchises can face hurdles.

Blade is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 7, 2025.

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