Marvel Studios Reportedly Scraps Mahershala Ali's Solo Blade Movie
Industry insider claims the long-awaited vampire hunter film has been cancelled, with the character potentially appearing in a Midnight Sons team-up instead. Fans express outrage over the decision.
Mahershala Ali's standalone vampire hunter movie appears to be officially dead. Industry insider Jeff Sneider dropped the bombshell during a recent episode of THE HOT MIC podcast, telling host John Rocha that the project has been scrapped entirely.
"Blade is dead. It's a rumor. I'm hearing Blade is dead and that it is a Midnight Sons movie. He will not be introduced in a solo movie; he will be introduced in Midnight Sons," Sneider revealed during the discussion.
The insider suggested Ali's age might be a factor. The Oscar winner is already in his early 50s, while Eric Brooks typically appears physically younger in the comics. Sneider explained the studio's apparent reasoning: "I think it's just gotten to the point where it's just like, 'Yeah, I don't think you're going to get your own movie. Like, we can't have a 60-year-old Mahershala Ali renting new comic book movies. So, I think it's going to be Midnight Sons."
Jordan Peele Director Rumors Surface
Just last week, separate reports suggested Marvel was courting Jordan Peele for an undisclosed project. Insider Daniel Richtman floated the possibility without specifying which film might be involved.
Given Peele's background in socially conscious horror, many speculated he could tackle either Blade or X-Men. Both properties would suit his talent for weaving real-world themes into dark, complex narratives. The timing made the Blade connection seem plausible.
Those hopes now appear dashed if Sneider's information proves accurate.
Fan Backlash Erupts Online
Social media exploded with angry reactions from disappointed fans. Many accused Marvel of consistently canceling the projects audiences actually want to see.
"A Blade movie is not this difficult to pull off and the fans want it," one user posted. Another wrote: "Stop cancelling all the films we actually want." The sentiment was echoed across multiple platforms, with fans expressing frustration over what they see as Marvel's misplaced priorities.
Some criticized the industry trend away from solo character films. "Doesn't seem like studios want to make solo movies anymore other than The Batman," one fan observed, noting how even Superman's upcoming film features multiple heroes.
Could Midnight Sons Work Instead?
A team-up approach might actually benefit both Ali and Marvel at this point. The Midnight Sons concept would allow multiple supernatural characters to share screen time without overwhelming audiences with separate origin stories.
This strategy could revive dormant characters while giving Ali's Eric Brooks a proper introduction. If successful, it might even generate enough interest to justify future solo projects.
The approach aligns with Marvel's current preference for ensemble pieces over individual character studies. Whether fans will accept this compromise remains to be seen.