14
Marvel fans have been waiting for news about Blade ever since it was first announced three years ago at 2019’s San Diego Comic-Con. Since then, the Daywalker’s MCU debut has suffered one delay after another. It still has no official release date, and the untitled film originally scheduled for October 7, 2022, that fans suspected was Blade has been pulled from Marvel’s Phase Four release schedule. But there has finally been news that the film is still moving forward.
Related: New Captain Marvel Actress Speaks Out After the MCU Replaced Brie Larson
Disney recently confirmed that The Good Fight star Delroy Lindo has signed on to Blade. He is joining the only other confirmed cast member Mahershala Ali (Eric Brooks aka Blade). Blade is expected to begin filming sometime later this year but it has been pushed back twice already.
The Marvel film will be directed by Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli). Stacy Osei-Kuffour, who worked on HBO’s Watchman, will write the script and Marvel did let fans know not to expect an R-rating. She will be the first Black woman to pen a Marvel movie.
Related: Marvel’s New Wolverine Series Trailer Teases “All the Wolverines”
Mahershala Ali made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest hit Eternals (2021). His voice came from off-screen in the post-credit scene as Dane Whitman aka Black Knight (Kit Harrington) picked up the Ebony Blade. And Marvel fans got chills as the vampire hunter made his long-awaited first appearance.
It got fans’ hopes up for a cameo by Oscar Isaac’s Marc Spector AKA Moon Knight to set up a Midnight Sons project. Which could also lead to the MCU’s version of the Ghost Rider, whose rights they recently got back.
Related: Marvel Star Threatens Disney to “Recast” Him If They Don’t Accommodate His Rule
Who will Delroy Lindo play in Blade?
Lindo comes to Marvel Studios with a decades-long career which includes the Beauty & the Beast show in the ’80s to This Is Us. He has also appeared in Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers, and Da 5 Bloods, films directed by Spike Lee, who was once eyed to direct Blade.
It is expected that Lindo will be playing Blade’s mentor Jamal Afari. In Marvel Comics, Afari grew up on the streets of Harlem when he encountered vampires. He took it upon himself to protect Harlem from the monsters and was saved one night by a nine-year-old orphan, Blade.
Related: Marvel Star & Sexiest Man Alive Recalls Sleeping on Dumpster Mattress
Fans will remember a similar character from the original Blade (1998) film series directed by Stephen Norrington and written by David S. Goyer. Jamal Afari was reimagined as Abraham Whistler, a white vampire hunter, whose wife and daughter were killed by vampires. He took in Eric, a half-vampire, half-human, and taught him to use his powers to hunt monsters.
He created a serum to help Blade manage his vampire side. Abraham was played by Kris Kristofferson (Planet of the Apes) in the film that starred Wesley Snipes as Blade.
Let us know in the comments if you are excited by this news.
