The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective; The Magnificent Seven) has been tapped to rewrite the screenplay for Marvel Studios' upcoming Blade, which has entrusted Primetime Emmy-nominee Yann Demange (White Boy Rick; Lovecraft Country) to direct and will star 2x Academy Award-winner Mahershala Ali (Luke Cage; Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) as the titular vampire hunter.
Pizzolatto and Ali had previously collaborated on True Detective season three, so it seems likely Ali had a say in bringing the 3x Primetime Emmy-nominated screenwriter onboard the eagerly anticipated Marvel blockbuster.
Emmy-nominated screenwriter Michael Starrbury (When They See Us; Legends of Chamberlain Heights) was the most recent writer to submit a screenplay to the studio, and it's being reported that Pizzolatto has been working off his draft for the past several weeks.
Production is tentatively scheduled to begin in May/June, so it sounds like the film will still start filming on time. Plot details remain under wraps, but the likes of Dracula and Lilith have been rumored to be involved.
In addition to Ali, the supporting cast will feature Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods; The Harder They Fall), Aaron Pierre (Old; Krypton), Milan Ray (Charm City Kings; The Wonder Years), and Mia Goth (X; Pearl).
Kit Harington (Game of Thrones; Eternals) was also rumored to be part of the cast, but it's now unclear whether he's still attached.
Bassam Tariq was originally attached to direct, before stepping down last September. Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Beau DeMayo wrote the first draft of the screenplay, before Starrbury took over and rewrote the entire thing. Now, it's up to Pizzolatto to get things right before cameras start rolling and the clock is certainly ticking.