Deadline reveals that after months of meeting with a vast array of talent, Marvel Studios has finally found a director for its Blade movie. While the deal isn't done quite yet, Bassam Tariq is the top choice to helm what is expected to be one of the first Phase 5 releases after it was announced during 2019's San Diego Comic-Con.
Best known for directing Mogul Mowgli starring Riz Ahmed (Venom), it's said that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and star Mahershala Ali met with dozens of candidates dating back to last fall before Tariq's vision won them over. Before that, they considered hiring a writer/director to work on Blade, but later zeroed in on Stacy Osei-Kuffour to pen the screenplay.
Meetings took place between March and June, and it seems Tariq really impressed Marvel Studios.
His hiring marks the fourth person of color to direct a movie for Marvel Studios, joining Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Chloe Zhao (Eternals), and Nia DaCosta (The Marvels). Feige has made a point of increasing diversity both in front and behind the camera in recent years.
There's a huge amount of excitement surrounding Blade, especially as it points to Marvel Studios embracing the supernatural side of the comic books. Hopefully, that will lead to the return of Ghost Rider and Mephisto, not to mention the debut of characters like Werewolf-by-Night and Daimon Hellstrom.
Blade doesn't currently have a confirmed release date.
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