Summary
TheBladeMCUreboot and another embattled project may still be in danger of being canceled at Marvel Studios. According to a notable scooper, fans could learn the fates of these projects soon.
Marvel Studios’Bladereboot starring Mahershala Ali was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. In the ensuing years, theMCU’sBladeparted ways with two directors, enlisted six different writers, and lost a few actors due to the resulting changes in production schedules. Similarly,Armor Warswas initially announced in 2020 as a Disney Plus series before being redeveloped as a feature film in 2022, but there’s been little word on the project’s progress lately. Despite a June 2024 update claiming theMCU’sBladereboot was on trackto progress, a new rumor suggests the film andArmor Warsare not out of the woods yet.
According to reputable scooperDaniel Richtman,Marvel Studios will decide the fate ofBladeandArmor Warsin the coming months. If the fate of both projects is in question, the implication is thatBladeandArmor Warsare not guaranteed to begin production or remain on Marvel Studios slate. On the MarvelStudiosSpoilers subreddit, fans expressed varying reactions to the rumor, with onedoubting Ali will remain attached toBladeas the eponymous character. “It does but feels [sic] less likely that Ali will be in the role,” wrote Reddit user @riegspsych325. “Dude won his second Oscar and immediately pitched himself for the role and got it. But that was over 5 years ago and all there is to show for it is one offscreen line.”
Ali’s offscreen line refers to his voice cameo asBladein the Eternals post-credits scene. In the scene, Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman opens a chest containing the Ebony Blade, a powerful weapon the character wields in the comics as Black Knight. As Whitman observes the blade and prepares to use it, Ali’s Blade is heard offscreen asking, “Sure you’re ready for that, Mr. Whitman?” While fans suspected this scene would pay off in the latter character’s solo movie, Harington’s Black Knight is reportedly cut fromBlade, and Ali’s version of the character hasn’t returned to the MCU in the 3 years since. Ali’s Blade is rumored to appear in Marvel Studios' animatedMarvel Zombiesseries, though this remains unconfirmed by official sources.
At this point, while many fans would be disappointed, some believethe MCU should kill itsBladereboot. If Richtman’s report is accurate, Marvel Studios has at least considered that possibility.It wouldn’t be the first time Marvel Studios canceled a feature film after announcing it publicly–Inhumanswas announced during Marvel Studios' Phase 3 presentation before it was scrapped–but Blade is a beloved character and fans were excited to see an acclaimed actor of Ali’s caliber take on the role. Of course, Marvel Studios could decide to continue developing Blade, but the fact that this is in question is worrying.
Marvel Studios’Bladeis scheduled to be released in theaters on July 12, 2025.
MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
