Marvel’s Blade release date has been delayed again. The remake starring Mahershala Ali in the title role, will have to wait an additional 9 months before heading to theaters.
Originally set for November 3rd, 2023, the film has encountered numerous setbacks, including the departure of director Bassam Tariq. After several schedule shifts, the current delay extends the release from February 14th, 2025, to November 7th, 2025. This marks the third adjustment to Disney’s movie release calendar this year.
The remake also stars Aaron Pierre, Delroy Lindo and Mia Goth.
Other affected films include Deadpool 3, moving from May 2024 to July 2024, Captain America: Brave New World, shifting from July 2024 to February 2025, and Thunderbolts, rescheduled from December 2024 to July 2025. Notably, Blade was initially slated for release on September 6th, 2024, but faced a setback in May due to a writers’ strike.
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige had announced Mahershala Ali’s role as the half-human, half-vampire superhero in 2019. Despite challenges, Disney remains committed to delivering quality content, as emphasized by CEO Bob Iger in a recent earnings call. The new Marvel movies schedule reflects a strategic move to balance sequels and original content, aligning with Disney’s commitment to prioritize quality over quantity.
Blade’s troubled production has seen involvement from multiple writers, including Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Beau DeMayo, Michael Starrbury, Nic Pizzolato, and Michael Green. The reshuffling of release dates also impacts other Marvel Studios projects, such as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, as well as non-MCU films like Mufasa: The Lion King.
In light of Disney’s recent focus on quality and the challenges posed by the pandemic, the company is taking steps to enhance creative output. The adjustments to the release calendar aim to ensure a balance of strong sequels and original content, with upcoming films like Deadpool 3 and Captain America: Brave New World undergoing schedule changes to meet this objective.