Mahershala Ali Blames Marvel For the ‘Blade’ Disaster
In the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), no project has endured a more troubled development than Blade.
When Marvel announced the film in 2019, it appeared to be a surefire hit. The studio was coming off the unprecedented success of Avengers: Endgame, while Mahershala Ali, who had been cast as the iconic Daywalker, had just won his second Academy Award for Green Book.
Photo: Marvel Studios
Seven years later, however, Blade has become synonymous with development woes. The film has been delayed multiple times, cycled through six screenwriters, and lost two directors.
Kevin Feige Breaks His Silence on ‘Blade’
While Kevin Feige and Mahershala Ali remained publicly optimistic throughout much of that turmoil, that tone has changed in recent weeks.
Source: Jessie Grant/ Disney/ Getty Images
First, Feige seemingly admitted that the project was no longer moving forward.
“I am feeling like a gigantic loser and failure that we didn’t get off the ground with Mahershala,” he said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Now, Ali has weighed in.
Ali Says He Has Moved On
In a new interview with GQ, the Oscar-winning actor made it clear that he believes Blade is no longer part of his future.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Shutterstock (10341985al)
Mahershala Ali
Marvel Studios panel, Comic-Con International, San Diego, USA – 20 Jul 2019
“I’ve been doing this professionally for pushing 30 years now, and one thing I’ve learned is that what is for you is for you and what is not is not. For whatever reason, that project is not for me,” he said.
Photo: Sebastian Nevols / The Guardian
“If they wanted to do it, we would’ve done it. So I have to move on, and I have moved on.”
“They Should Answer That Question”
Perhaps even more notably, Ali placed the responsibility for Blade‘s failure squarely on Marvel Studios.
Photo: Blade
“But I feel ready to move on from the Blade questions. Those questions are for them. They didn’t want to do it, so they should answer that question,” he said later in the interview.
While it remains to be seen whether Marvel has future plans for Blade in the MCU, one thing now appears clear: Mahershala Ali no longer expects to portray the Daywalker.
