Mahershala Ali has closed the door on Marvel’s long-delayed Blade film, saying the project will not move forward with him involved.
Ali discussed the film while promoting his upcoming release, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. Asked by GQ whether Blade had moved any closer to production, he gave a direct answer:
“Not with me.”
His comments followed remarks attributed to Marvel boss Kevin Feige during the press tour for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in which Feige described the inability to get Blade made as a “failure”. Ali placed responsibility with Marvel, pointing out that the studio had him under contract and had the financial resources to produce the film.
“If they wanted to do the movie, we would’ve done the movie,” Ali said. “So we’re not doing the movie.”
A connection between Blade and Ali’s next film
The stalled project also has a direct link to Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. That film is directed by Bassim Tariq, who Marvel originally selected to direct Blade in 2021.
Tariq departed the superhero film a year later after ongoing delays. Yann Demange subsequently took over as director before leaving the project in 2024.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother stars Ali as a deeply religious hitman who undertakes a dangerous journey to protect his children from the forces surrounding them. Although it is not a version of Blade, the new film emerged from Ali and Tariq’s unsuccessful collaboration on the Marvel project.
Ali said he ultimately had to choose between making the two films, and chose Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. He added that the film is closely aligned with the kind of work he wants to be remembered for.
Marvel now holds the answers
Ali eventually moved past further questions about Blade, arguing that Marvel is the party that should explain what happened to the production. For readers following major entertainment and gaming news, it is another reminder that long-running franchise projects can remain uncertain even after prominent talent is attached.
While the film’s future remains a Marvel matter, Ali’s position is clear: he has moved on. Fans interested in bringing other screen-inspired experiences into a games room can explore the arcade machine buying guide, compare upright arcade cabinets or browse compact bartop arcades.
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