Marvel Claims To Have Finally “Cracked” The Story For ‘Blade’ Reboot

The behind-the-scenes chaos surrounding Marvel’s “Blade” reboot has been written about endlessly, and for good reason — few projects in the MCU pipeline have had this many false starts. What we do know: Mahershala Ali is still attached to star, the budget is hovering around $80 million, and yes, it’s still supposed to be R-rated.

But beyond that? It’s anyone’s guess.

A couple of weeks ago, David Goyer — who penned the original 1998 Blade with Wesley Snipes and arguably helped kickstart the modern comic book movie — casually floated the idea that Marvel should give him a call if they need help getting this thing across the finish line.

“It’s so funny, about eight months ago — when, not the latest hiccup hit, but like the prior hiccup — I had so many people that would say to me, ‘Dude, would you get in there on Blade? Would you just get in there?,’ whether it be friends or fans or people on social media,” Goyer told Variety.

Turns out he eventually did reach out to Marvel, via his agent, to offer his services. Their response?

We love you, but we think we’ve cracked it now, and we’re in a good place.

Goyer hasn’t been contacted since. And given the current state of Blade, it’s hard not to read that “good place” comment as pure studio spin. This is a project that’s cycled through no fewer than six writers (Michael Green, Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Michael Starrbury, Beau DeMayo, Nic Pizzolatto, and now Eric Pearson) and at least three directors — Bassam Tariq, Yann Demange, and Cary Fukunaga (the last of whom never officially signed on, but was in talks before reportedly walking away over creative control concerns).

Goyer says he doesn’t know what’s going on behind closed doors — “I don’t know the behind the scenes of it” — but leaves the door slightly ajar if Marvel ever wants to tap him. “I might consider it because I love the character, and it sort of started my superhero career,” he said. “Even though I’m now considered a DC guy, I started as a Marvel guy… I would consider it, just for old time’s sake.”

Again, this is the guy who helped shape “Blade,” wrote ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy, and “Man of Steel.” Not exactly a rookie. At this point, what does Marvel have to lose?

The version of the script currently in play is Eric Pearson’s. And reportedly, it moves the setting from the previously planned 1920s backdrop into the present day — a sign that the tone and scope of the film have likely shifted again.

Since the project was first announced at Comic-Con 2019, delays have piled up: COVID, WGA/SAG strikes, multiple re-writes, casting changes, director exits. Aaron Pierre and Delroy Lindo are both off the film. Mia Goth, at least for now, is still attached to play Lilith, a vampiric villainess after the blood of Blade’s daughter.

Meanwhile, Mahershala Ali — the Oscar-winning star the whole thing was built around — is reportedly “increasingly frustrated” with the lack of forward motion.

Can you blame him?

Six years in and “Blade” still feels uncertain. Maybe it’s time Marvel makes that call to Goyer. Or someone. Anyone.