After years of pre-production struggles, Marvel’s Blade reboot finally seems to be on track. The film, which has seen several versions over the years, is now set in the modern day. First announced back in 2019, the Mahershala Ali-led movie was initially slated to begin filming in 2022, but delays have plagued the project. 
Kevin Feige, Marvel’s head honcho, recently opened up about the reasons behind the prolonged production process and confirmed that the studio has finally found a clear direction for the reboot.
Feige explained that the main holdup was the desire to make sure the film was up to Marvel’s high standards. “We didn’t want to just put a leather outfit on him and have him start killing vampires,” Feige said. “It had to be unique.” This commitment to quality led to the decision to pause the project and reassess, with Marvel now focused on delivering something truly special. “We didn’t feel confident that we could just take a good script and turn it into a great one through production,” Feige admitted. “We didn’t want to do that to Mahershala or to us.”
Marvel’s original plan had included period pieces, including one set in the 1920s. In fact, a warehouse full of costumes was even created for this version of the film before it was scrapped. These costumes, however, would find a second life when used in Ryan Coogler’s *Sinners*. According to producer Sev Ohanian, Marvel allowed the costumes to be sold, which helped Coogler’s team complete their production. With the decision to focus on a modern-day Blade, the 1920s era was officially put to rest. Feige confirmed that this shift was the reason the costumes were returned to Ruth Carter, the costume designer for both projects.
Despite these positive developments, Blade’s release still seems far off. Marvel is currently focused on upcoming Avengers films, which include *Doomsday* and *Secret Wars*. With these projects in the pipeline, Blade’s future in the MCU remains uncertain, but Feige hinted that the film could tie into the larger narrative, possibly even setting the stage for Wesley Snipes’ version of Blade to return in some form. As Marvel’s strategy shifts, fans wonder whether Blade’s reboot will stay true to the character’s origins or take new creative liberties.