- MCU reboot of vampire hunter Blade is stuck in development
- John Wick franchise director being considered to take it on
- Wesley Snipes played Blade in three films in the 90s/00s
The much-troubled movie reboot of Marvel hero Blade could get a boost as it is rumored that the director of the John Wick movies could be taking on the project.
A Blade film was slated to be released on November 7, 2025, with Mahershala Ali down to star as the titular half-vampire hero from the Marvel comics. However, in October 2024, the movie was dropped from the schedule, with Predator: Badlands, the sixth film in that franchise, taking its place.
A new release date was not announced, which inevitably led to speculation that the project could be canned. This was the latest setback for a movie that has been in development for about five years now. In June 2024, director Yann Demange left the project and, as yet, another has yet to be named.
However, this could be set to change, and the director that helped bring John Wick to life is the latest name in the frame.
John Wick favorite
Hollywood insider The InSneider has reported that Chad Stahelski is in the running to direct the movie.
As usual, Marvel Studios has remained tight-lipped on the rumor – they only usually comment when the ink is dry on a contract.
But there could be some substance to this. Stahelski made the John Wick franchise into one of the biggest around, and it is notable for its action sequences – something that would be needed in any Blade film.
Plus Stahelski has previously expressed an interest in Blade. Talking to The Playlist back in early 2024, he said: “Of all the things out there, I would take a swing at ‘Blade’ in a second,” he said. “That’s one that gets under my skin; I’m like, ‘I would take a swing at that.’”
Stahelski does have some previous with the MCU too. He worked as a second-unit director on Captain America: Civil War.
Where would Blade fit into the MCU
But even if Stahelski does come on board, it leaves various questions about the movie. For instance, where would Blade fit into the MCU, and when could he be seen on the big screen again?
With Marvel scaling back and prioritising quality over quantity, there are only a very limited number of movie slots available in the next few years – with two Avengers films and Spider-Man 4 coming in the next couple of years.
Whether Blade is introduced as part of the Multiverse Saga, or is saved until phase 7 remains to be seen.
However, given the popularity of the character among Marvel fans – both in comics and the 90s/00s movie trilogy that starred Wesley Snipes – there are plenty of fans willing this movie to see the light of day.
