Mahershala Ali Dodges Question on Stalled Marvel ‘Blade’ Reboot

Mahershala Ali, who has been attached to star in Marvel Studios’ long-gestating “Blade” reboot since 2019, signaled fresh reluctance to discuss the project’s status while promoting Universal’s “Jurassic World Rebirth.” During a rapid-fire Vogue interview released this week, co-star Jonathan Bailey asked Ali and Scarlett Johansson to tally their Marvel film appearances. Ali laughed off the query with, “Leave me out of it – that’s a Scarlett question,” effectively sidestepping any update on the vampire-hunter franchise.

Marvel removed “Blade” from its 2025 release slate last year after a series of setbacks that included the departures of directors Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange and delays tied to the 2023 writers’ strike. Despite the film’s revolving creative team, Marvel chief Kevin Feige said in November the studio “loves the character” and remains committed to bringing Ali’s version of Blade to the screen.

Ali, a two-time Oscar winner, has so far only voiced the character in a post-credits scene for 2021’s “Eternals.” At the New York premiere of “Jurassic World Rebirth” last month he told Variety he was still ready to proceed, saying, “Call Marvel… I’m ready.” His latest comments suggest uncertainty persists around the project as it enters a seventh year in development.