“Michael B. Jordan looking like Blade”: Ryan Coogler’s Update on His Vampire Movie Will Give Mahershala Ali Sleepless Nights With How MCU Has Treated Him So Far

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently at a crucial stage. The studio is sort of struggling to gain back the reputation and hype it had earlier after some recent failed projects, and amid all these, some promising projects have been delayed indefinitely.

One such project is Mahershala Ali-starrer Blade. The production of the film has been long overdue, and a recent look from another MCU actor would rub salt in the wound as the actor gets to be a vampire even before Ali.

Michael B. Jordan in Ryan Coogler’s Upcoming Vampire Film

Michael B. Jordan was loved as Killmonger in Black Panther, and his last appearance in the MCU was in 2022, for a cameo in Wakanda Forever. It was also the last time Ryan Coogler directed any movie of Marvel.

However, the director-actor duo is back again in an untitled vampire movie, which will be released in 2025. Jordan and Coogler have previously worked in many films as both a producer-actor and director-actor duo, like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and the Black Panther franchise. 

Their upcoming movie has been written by Coogler, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie will be a “genre” feature, and some sources say that it might have a period element. But amid all these, Jordan’s look has been circulated online recently, and fans can’t help but compare him with Blade.

Michael B Jordan lookin like Blade 😂

— 2024Horror (@2024Horror) September 8, 2024

I think the original Blade script where it was a period piece set in the 1920’s was now given to Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan so they can make a stand alone vampire film outside of the MCU.

— AVON (@MagicHandz) August 30, 2024

Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan already finished their vampire movie before Blade 💀

— JD7 (@Jd14762) August 7, 2024

Jordan’s look resembled Wesley Snipes‘ Blade’s Afro haircut and the goatee. However, this feels like a sad situation for Mahershala Ali as another MCU actor got introduced, died, reappeared, and is now appearing as a vampire, while he has been waiting since 2019 to portray the human-vampire hybrid. 

Marvel’s Blade project has gone through various changes in cast and crew. Blade was even teased at the end of Eternals, which raised the hope of fans. But it was in 2021, and so far there has not been any further production update from the studio, although it is scheduled for 2025.

Blade Might Not Be Released Before Avengers: Secret Wars

It seems like Wesley Snipes was not completely wrong when he said he would be the only Blade ever in Deadpool & Wolverine. A recent rumor suggests that the movie won’t be released until the multiversal saga is over.

In a recent Q&A session, insider Alex Perez revealed some insights into the Blade movie’s status. According to The Cosmic Circus, Perez said,

They want to make Blade the face of the upcoming supernatural saga they’ve got cooking. But to make him the face, they need to give him a good introduction and do the character justice by giving him a hell of a story to get the audience invested in him and that saga because if Blade doesn’t do well, then the Midnight Sons storyline will suffer as a result.

He also revealed that the 2025 release date might not be the final one and the film will be “undated until the script gets to the right place.” Perez mentioned Werewolf By Night and Moon Knight and how they are sort of separate from the main MCU, although they take place in the same universe.

It might be the case that Marvel would want Blade to be the transition bridge from the multiverse saga to the supernatural saga, where the studio will deal with dark and supernatural storylines. In that case, fans would have to wait more and it will also become a test of patience for Mahershala Ali. 

Avengers: Secret Wars will be released in theaters on May 7, 2027.

The Black Panther franchise is available to stream on Disney+.