Marvel’s Upcoming ‘Blade’ Gets a New Director

Marvel’s upcoming Blade flick finally has another director. Yann Demange is set to direct the new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project, after the original director, Bassam Tariq, dropped out in September. 

The French-born director, Demange, 45, is best known for his work on TV shows Top Boy and Lovecraft Country, has stepped in to fill Bassam’s shoes after the production schedule shifted, causing Bassam to drop out. Though, Bassam will stay involved in the film as an executive producer.

“Due to continued shifts in our production schedule, Bassam is no longer moving forward as director of ‘Blade’ but will remain an executive producer on the film,” a statement from Marvel reads. “We appreciate Bassam’s talent and all the work he’s done getting ‘Blade’ to where it is.”

Bassam also released a statement, saying, “It’s been an honor working with the wonderful folks at Marvel. We were able to put together a killer cast and crew. Eager to see where the next director takes the film.”

Additionally, Michael Starrbury has also been hired to write a brand new script for the flick. However, additional details about the project are scarce.

Sources say that the plan is to keep the feel of the film dark and gritty in tone, similar to Wesley Snipes-led trilogy of films between 1998 and 2004.

Mahershala Ali Will Star as Blade

Star Mahershala Ali is still attached to play the lead role in the film, despite the recent changes in production.

And Wesley Snipes has had nothing but kind words for Ali as he steps into the role of the human-vampire hybrid character, and those compliments have meant the world to Ali.

“Man, you know, [I’m] humbled and so encouraged by that,” Ali states.

“Because he didn’t have to say that. Wasn’t nobody really asking him like that,” Ali adds. “So for him to come out and say that, somebody I look up to so much, I sincerely appreciated that. So thank you, brother.

The Upcoming Blade Movie Release Date is 2024

Blade, which is currently in pre-production, is scheduled for release in September 2024. Filming is expected to begin in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023.