At SDCC 2024, Marvel Studios had a dominating presence with their massive presentation featuring Robert Downey Jr., Avengers: Doomsday, and the Russo Brothers. However, amidst all the exciting announcements, I can’t help but wonder about the status of Blade.
Marvel’s highly anticipated presentation at Hall H exceeded expectations and showcased the signature grandeur of Kevin Feige. Exciting news about Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World were shared, followed by a surprise appearance from Harrison Ford as he hilariously imitated the Red Hulk. To top it off, the Fantastic Four cast made a memorable appearance together on stage.
In addition to that, Feige made the decision to reveal new plans for both Avengers 5 and 6. The latter is still known as Secret Wars, while the former has been renamed to Doomsday, with a focus on the character of Latverian king, to once again be played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.
In addition, both Joe and Anthony Russo will be directing the reveals. The audience and online viewers were overwhelmed with excitement at these announcements, and although I was also thrilled, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment for what was left unmentioned. Particularly, the absence of Marvel’s resident vampire hunter, who has not been seen in years.
Marvel returns to Hall H at SDCC… without Blade
This year’s Hall H showcase marks the fifth anniversary since Mahershala Ali’s introduction as Blade in the MCU, which also took place in the same venue. Although it may be hard to believe, this event occurred in 2019, a time when we were all undoubtedly different individuals.
Despite being a two-time Oscar winner and one of the most respected actors of his generation, Ali’s involvement was considered rabble-rousing. Marvel achieving his signature on the dotted line was seen as a significant accomplishment and a sign of potential success for the company.
Despite the shortcomings of Phases 4 and 5, which did not achieve the same level of box office success and critical acclaim as the franchise’s previous hits like Avengers (2012) and Endgame (2019), the inclusion of Ali brought hope and confidence. It can be assumed that his involvement indicates the strength and quality of the ideas and direction for the upcoming projects.
Currently, Blade is without a director as both Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange have left the project. Tariq left due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts, while Demange departed in June.
Blade is becoming a revolving door
According to reports, there have been at least five writers publicly attached to the script, all of whom have joined the project. The focus appears to be on ensuring that Blade is executed correctly rather than rushing to complete the film. The numerous changes in writers suggest that it has taken some time for all parties to agree on how to achieve this goal.
Blade has found himself amidst a tumultuous time at Marvel Towers. A recent critical report from Variety in November 2023 reveals that Disney Plus shows are being created without proper scripts, as the company prioritizes quantity over quality, putting strain on producers and ultimately diminishing the final products.
The past few years have been filled with chaos, leading to inconsistent storytelling and subpar production quality. While I found enjoyment in several recent phases, such as She-Hulk, Shang-Chi, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Ms Marvel, the overall cohesiveness of the franchise has been lacking and some of the content has been disappointing.
The movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was a chaotic mix of information about the Quantum Realm and an attempt to create fear around the character Kang. Similarly, Secret Invasion was a jumbled mess of special effects and poorly written script. Marvel would be wise to offer another substantial payment to Olivia Colman in order to give her another chance, as she deserved a better role.
The MCU has seen better days
I am relieved that we have managed to steer away from the possibility of Mahershala Ali being involved in any of these commercialized productions. However, the lack of updates is starting to make me uneasy. What is truly going on behind the scenes? Who is responsible for the writing and directing?
The panel we just received was seemingly designed for Marvel to regain control of its own narrative and steer public discourse. And it was successful – even the first glimpse of Galactus in action was overshadowed by Downey Jr’s dramatic reveal of the Doom mask.
The casting of Avengers: Doomsday will generate buzz on Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and in casual conversations for months to come. Many who lost interest after Steve Rogers’ long-awaited dance with Peggy Carter have now returned to the franchise.
Furthermore, there are still upcoming projects that serve as reminders of Thunderbolts, such as the ensemble picture that includes Florence Pugh, Captain America 4 which will feature Harrison flippin’ Ford, and the long-awaited addition of the Fantastic Four to the MCU. However, the question remains, what is being done about Blade?
Marvel’s Daywalker: A Ghostly Superhero
Despite the lack of any updates from Feige or appearances from Ali, there is still no official logline for Blade. The film is still set for release on November 25, 2025, which is just over 15 months away. With such a short timeframe for a blockbuster, it is concerning that there is still uncertainty about who will be directing this project.
Despite consistently attempting to stay in control of the Overton window, Marvel appears to be facing an uphill battle with this particular issue. The majority of information has been revealed through insider sources, as the studio chooses to remain silent on the matter.
Despite the recent controversies, Marvel has consistently delivered on their releases over the years. If something is announced, it is almost guaranteed to come out. Although there may be changes such as a title change or a shift in medium, Kevin Feige and his team always manage to find a way to successfully complete the production and move forward.
Blade: Rise from the Dead
It is becoming more and more likely that Blade will suffer the same fate as the previously announced Nick Fury film in Phase 1 and remain stuck in development hell. Although I hope for a different outcome, those who have the answers are choosing to avoid discussing the topic.
Even with Malibu Stacy wearing a new Doctor Doom mask, there are limits to what she can achieve. However, there is one positive aspect – Blade appears to be making more progress compared to Armor Wars.
If you are looking to continue your Marvel journey, we have a Phase 6 guide that covers all other upcoming events in the franchise, as well as a comprehensive list of Deadpool and Wolverine’s appearances.
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