Earlier this week, Marvel Studios released a video looking ahead at the movies coming our way in Phase 4. Fantastic Four received a mention, but there was no sign of Blade despite plans for the reboot being announced during Comic-Con back in 2019 (with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali in the title role).
Well, The Hollywood Reporter has now shared a noteworthy update, revealing that Marvel is looking at many of the same directors Warner Bros. is eyeing for its planned Superman reboot.
The shortlist includes names like Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II), J.D. Dillard (Sweetheart), Regina King (One Night in Miami), Shaka King (Judas and the Black Messiah), and possibly Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). It's said that some filmmakers have met with both studios for both movies, even though the process is "phenomenally early" according to one agent that spoke to the trade.
Unfortunately, we probably won't bee seeing Blade anytime soon, because "Marvel isn’t rushing with Blade, whose start date was pushed from this September to July 2022, so that the studio can spend time working on the Stacy Osei-Kuffour-penned script."
That's a huge delay, and likely means we won't be seeing this reboot until late 2023/early 2024 at the earliest. Still, you can't fault Marvel Studios for wanting to get Blade right, especially as reintroducing the character after that memorable trilogy starring Wesley Snipes will be no easy feat (neither will suddenly adding vampires to this shared world, in all honesty).
We'll hopefully have more to share with you about Blade soon!