We all know the Marvel Cinematic Universe always likes to be two steps ahead of the game and plan multiple projects years in advance. However, trying to connect the overarching storyline across different movies and Disney+ series is no easy task, and sometimes things might take a sudden left turn. Exciting announcements can take longer than expected to materialize and, in the worst-case scenario, they may lead absolutely nowhere. That's why the superhero giant has not only lowered its yearly output of content, but it has also been quiet about what will happen after the release of Avengers: Secret Wars.
Despite Marvel's attempt to do as much damage control as possible, superhero fans still have many questions about the fate of a few projects. Disney+ series such as Nova and Strange Academy have been indefinitely paused, and who knows what's going on with Armor Wars at this point. However, few unmade movies have generated as much excitement (and eventual disappointment) as Blade. Marvel has remained tight-lipped about the anticipated film despite fans wanting to see the Vampire Hunter on the big screen for years, so what exactly happened? Well, we might finally have an answer.
Blade was pushed back to be a part of the MCU's next phase; a new director potentially revealed
According to renowned insider Alex Perez (via The Cosmic Circus), the Blade movie has been shrouded in silence because Marvel quietly pushed it back to its next saga, meaning it won't be part of the ongoing Multiversal storyline. Furthermore, it was revealed that Fede Alvarez and Dan Trachtenberg are the frontrunners for the new director position, following Yann Demange's departure back in June 2024.
This information falls in line with another report that claims Marvel will focus on supernatural characters, themes, and stories only after the end of the Multiverse Saga. Chances are that's why we haven't seen more of Moon Knight despite debuting in the MCU back in 2022, and why we won't see him in the events of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, according to actor Oscar Isaac. Characters like Steven Grant, Blade, Man-Thing, and Werewolf haven't been involved in the overarching multiversal narrative, so Marvel is likely waiting for the perfect time to give them the spotlight once more.
Rumor has it that a Moon Knight sequel will eventually come our way, while it has also been confirmed that a Werewolf by Midnight follow-up is in the works at Marvel. All roads will reportedly converge in an adaptation of the Damnation comic book storyline, in which Mephisto takes over Las Vegas and creates his own version of hell on Earth. This project would, in turn, set up the events for a Midnight Sons movie in which Blade would also appear.
But before the iconic Vampire Hunter joins forces with other iconic Marvel characters, we need to address his upcoming stand-alone adventure. Little is officially known about Blade, not only because it has been delayed, but because it has undergone multiple creative visions. The movie was originally planned to be a period piece set in the 1920s, with Mia Goth set to portray the vampire Lilith, who would've been after Blade's daughter. Variety then reported that the project had changed and planned to relegate Blade to be the movie's "fourth lead" with an ensemble of unknown female characters taking the spotlight. The last time we heard from the film, it was rumored to take place in a modern-day setting.
Back in 2024, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that he was in no rush to release Blade, as the priority instead lay in figuring out what kind of movie works best for the vampire hunter: "I mean, for the last two years as we’ve been trying to crack that movie, the most important thing for us is not rushing it and making sure we are making the right Blade movie". With that in mind, not only does pushing the film back until after the Multiverse Saga give Marvel the chance to solely focus on making the Avengers movies the best they can, but it also gives breathing room to crack the code behind Blade.
It's widely disappointing that Blade was announced all the way back in 2019, and we still don't have a release date. However, it appears that we'll finally have more news after Avengers: Secret Wars releases in 2027. With a bit of luck, the wait will prove to be worth it.