Mahershala Ali’s preparation for Marvel’s Blade did not disappear when the reboot stalled. Ali has said he trained for more than a year, including sword and action work, and that the experience became useful on Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, directed by former Blade director Bassam Tariq.
What training did Ali do for Blade?
Ali has described more than a year of physical preparation for the vampire hunter, including sword training and action choreography. In September 2026, he said he was grateful for that preparation because it ultimately helped his new film.
How Blade training carried into the new movie
Ali plays Latif, a devout Muslim father and contract killer dealing with grief, family responsibility and his violent past. Reuters reports that the film explores faith, family and fatherhood and is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on September 25, 2026. Reuters report.
Why Bassam Tariq matters
Tariq was originally attached to direct Marvel’s Blade reboot before leaving the project. He later reunited with Ali for an original action film, turning an abandoned superhero collaboration into a different story.
The surprising financial connection
Ali also said in September that Marvel helped pay for the new movie and described that support as a contribution connected to the period when he was training for Blade. That makes the Blade story unusual: preparation for an unmade superhero film became part of the production story of an original movie.
Why this matters
The new film lets Ali use physical skills developed for a franchise role without inheriting Blade’s mythology. It also preserves his creative partnership with Tariq even though their Marvel project never reached production.
More Blade coverage: Ali’s Blade exit · development timeline · new movie explained.
FAQ
Did Mahershala Ali train for Blade?
Yes. Ali has said he trained for more than a year.
Did he use Blade training in his new movie?
Yes. He has said the skills developed during Blade preparation were useful for his new action film.
Did Marvel help pay for the new movie?
Ali said Marvel helped pay for the film and that he was grateful for the contribution.
Sources: Reuters; People; Variety reporting on Ali’s Blade preparation.
