“Marvel does not deserve this guy”: The Marvel Superhero John Wick Director Wants to “Take a Swing at”
Acclaimed director Chad Stahelski, known for his exceptional work in John Wick, has expressed his willingness to contribute to Marvel’s upcoming vampire flick Blade.
It’s been more than two years since Marvel announced the project, featuring Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali as the titular half-human, half-vampire vigilante. The movie went through rewrites, production delays, and other changes, and now it’s finally happening with a new director. However, despite knowing the current image of Marvel and the reception of its movies, Chad Stahelski expressed his desire to craft Ali’s Blade.
Chad Stahelski’s Desire To Helm Marvel’s Blade Movie
One of the most delayed and highly anticipated Marvel projects is Mahersaala Ali‘s Blade, featuring the Oscar winner as the vampire hunter. It was confirmed in 2019, that the actor has secured the titular role. However, director Chad Stahelski, known for his distinctive style of incorporating Eastern culture in Western genre films like his John Wick, expressed his willingness to craft Blade and if offered, he wouldn’t take time to accept the project. In Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Stahelski said that:
“Of all the things out there, I would take a swing at Blade in a second. That’s one that gets under my skin; I’m like, ‘I would take a swing at that.”
However, considering the current scenario of Marvel and its movies, fans don’t think the studio deserves an incredibly talented director like Chad Stahelski. According to a post shared on X (earlier Twitter):
Marvel does not deserve this guy
— Zac (@ZJS1100) January 4, 2024
Why do we have directors like him saying they want to do stuff, but no one’s calling them? He would certainly bring something the MCU is needing
— Frederico Rosa (@fredistreese) January 3, 2024
Oh yeah! I know them stunt scenes would be amazingly crazy and the movie would be great cuz John Wick: 4 was AMAZING!
— Ms. Ellis (@4everGolden91) January 3, 2024
it’s crazy how much of a layup this movie could be and how it’s probably still gonna suck
— 🏳️⚧️ 𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓪 🔆 (@olivia5195) January 3, 2024
I mean he can help the current director of blade out by doing action
— Ryuu Saki (@QgtharoninSaki) January 3, 2024
I’m surprised Marvel didn’t hire him to write the Blade movie
— ninotounstoppable21 (@nino4rmtheO) January 4, 2024
However, the project suffered script issues, and the actor almost decided to exit from Blade until it was rewritten. The previous script saw Ali as the fourth lead, despite being the focus of the vampire flick. After rewrites and delays, the movie has finally found its director Yann Demange.
Mahershala Ali is Encouraged For His Upcoming Movie Blade
According to previous reports, Mahershala Ali was furious with the writers for overshadowing him with other actors and not giving significant importance to his character. However, his last update on Blade will surely excite you as the actor himself shared being encouraged by the project. In an interview with EW, Ali said:
“We’re working on it. That’s the best I could tell you, I’m really encouraged with the direction of the project. I think we’ll be back at it relatively soon.”
While sharing his optimism for the upcoming movie and acknowledging the direction of Blade, the Green Book star added:
“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.”
Mahershala Ali is an incredibly lauded actor in the world of entertainment and fans’ expectations have intensified to witness the iconic vampire hunter into the MCU fold. The top cast that has been confirmed for Blade includes Mia Goth, Delroy Lindo, and Aaron Pierre.
Blade is set to release on Nov. 7, 2025.