It’s now official that Marvel Studios’ Blade will not be hitting theaters on Nov. 7, 2025, as originally scheduled. Instead, Disney has slotted 20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands for that date.
The decision to delay Blade comes as no surprise, given the various production setbacks the film has faced since its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019. The reboot, which will star two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, has encountered several delays, including those caused by the pandemic and the recent Hollywood strikes. Additionally, the project has seen two directors depart: Bassam Tariq, who initially planned a fall 2022 start, and later Yann Demange.
Why Marvel is taking its time with the Blade movie
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has emphasized that the priority is making the best Blade movie possible, and the project won’t move forward without a perfect script. In the meantime, Marvel fans were treated to a surprise when Wesley Snipes made a cameo as Blade in Deadpool & Wolverine, which went on to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time with $1.3 billion.
“For the last few years, we’ve been trying to crack that movie,” Feige recently told BlackTreeTV. “I think the most important think for us, is not rushing it and making sure that we’re making the right Blade movie because there were some great Blade movies years ago and they were all R-rated. So I think that’s inherent – like Deadpool, inherent with the character of Blade. “
Mahershala Ali made his first appearance as Blade in a voice cameo during the post-credits scene of Eternals, teasing his future role as the iconic vampire hunter. His Blade movie is set to feature Mia Goth as the Marvel villain Lilith.
Looking ahead, Disney has also announced release dates for three untitled Marvel projects in 2028: Feb. 18, May 5, and Nov. 10. With Blade in development limbo, Marvel fans will have to wait a bit longer to see the iconic vampire slayer return to the big screen.
