Marvel Studios is reportedly delaying production on their anticipated Blade film.
Sources have told the Hollywood Reporter that shooting, which was scheduled to start next month, is now being eyed to commence early next year. The delay most likely will mean that the film will not be ready for its already announced release date of November 3, 2023. Marvel is most likely trying to work out what other in-production project they can slot into that date before officially announcing any release date changes. One factor that may be complicating this shuffle could be any story elements towards the larger ongoing story arcs in the ongoing Marvel Cinematic Universe that Blade was supposed to deal with.
Originally announced at San Diego Comic Con in 2019, Blade is set to star Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali as the titular half-vampire anti-hero. While the character has yet to make an on-screen appearance, audience’s did hear his voice in one of the end credit scenes in 2021’s The Eternals.
The delay does not come as much of a surprise. Previously announced director Bassim Tariq left the project two weeks ago amid rumors of script issues. Currently, Moon Knight writer Beau DeMayo has been working on the screenplay, working from previous drafts by Stacy Osei-Kuffour.
