Marvel’s Blade Brings In New Director, Writer, Reports Indicate

Marvel’s Blade reboot may finally have some direction.

Deadline is reporting that Yann Demange will direct the upcoming project, replacing departed director Bassam Tariq. Deadline is also reporting that Michael Starrbury is the new writer for the movie, making him the third scribe since the project began. Marvel has not officially confirmed reports.

Tariq initially departed from Blade in late September, bringing production to a halt and readjusting the release date of four Marvel films. Blade, in particular, experienced a hefty delay from Nov. 3, 2023 to Sept. 6, 2024.

Demange comes to the production, which stars Mahershala Ali as the eponymous vampire, after directing the 2018 films ‘71 and White Boy Rick.

Starrbury takes over as writer, following Watchmen writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Moon Knight writer Beau DeMayo. Osei-Kuffour wrote the first draft before DeMayo took over.

Blade actor Mahershala Ali next to the comic book representation of Blade — Mahershala Ali is slated to play Blade in the upcoming reboot. (**Image Credit:** CBR)

Starrbury created Legends of Chamberlain Heights as well as writing an episode of When They See Us.

Marvel hasn’t released much regarding Blade other than a release date. Ali did make a voice cameo in the post-credit scene for The Eternals, tying him to Dane Whitman/Black Knight (Kit Harington).

This film reboots a character that debuted in film in 1998 with Wesley Snipes starring in the vampire-hunting titular role. The initial franchise featured two sequels.

I want to get excited for this movie, but the various starts and stops make it hard. Tariq leaving took a lot of the wind out of the sails despite the excitement surrounding Ali.

I hope this is the team to move the film forward as it still remains one of Marvel’s biggest question marks. Other than Ali starring, we don’t know anything about this film.

That said, this publicity will likely draw the crowds to it when it inevitably does release, providing a positive in a sea of negatives. That will, however, add pressure to the new crew as expectations will be sky-high.

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