Mahershala Ali has moved on from Marvel Studios’ long-delayed Blade reboot. In 2026, he said he is done with the project and ready to focus on original work. That closes the chapter on the 2019 casting announcement, while leaving Marvel with the separate question of whether it will ever develop another live-action Blade project.
What Mahershala Ali said
Ali said the project was no longer for him and that he had moved on. The comments came while he was promoting Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, his new action film directed by former Blade director Bassam Tariq. Los Angeles Times report.
Why this is more than another delay
The reboot went through multiple writers, directors, script changes and release-date moves. Marvel removed it from Disney’s release calendar in 2024, and Ali’s later comments make clear that the announced 2019 version will not proceed with him.
The Blade connection to Ali’s new movie
Ali spent more than a year training for Blade, including sword and action preparation. In September 2026, he said Marvel helped pay for Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and that the Blade preparation became useful for the new film. Reuters reports that the movie premiered at TIFF and is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on September 25. Reuters report.
What happens to Blade now?
Ali’s departure does not by itself establish that Marvel has abandoned the Blade character. It does mean the version announced in 2019 no longer has its announced star. No replacement-led live-action Blade release date has been confirmed in the current reporting reviewed here.
Why Wesley Snipes still matters
Wesley Snipes returned as Blade in Deadpool & Wolverine. That appearance reconnects the character with his earlier film history, but it is not confirmation that Snipes is replacing Ali in a new solo movie.
Related: production timeline · Ali’s training · Blade and Snipes · Ali’s new movie.
FAQ
Is Mahershala Ali still playing Blade?
No. Ali has said he has moved on from the project.
Is the 2019 Blade reboot still happening with Ali?
No. Ali is no longer attached, and no replacement-led version has been announced with a new release date.
Will Marvel make another Blade movie?
That remains unconfirmed. The character can still be used by Marvel, but there is no current replacement-led live-action release date.
Sources: Los Angeles Times; Reuters; The Guardian.
