The next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will bring Blade into the mix with a brand new reboot, and Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali is taking over the vampire-slaying role. Marvel had planned to begin shooting Blade this November for a release in theaters on November 3, 2023, but as we recently learned, those plans have unfortunately changed.

Directed Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) exited the project as director earlier this month, and THR reports this afternoon that Marvel has now put the entire production on pause.

THR reports, “In the wake of parting ways with director Bassim Tariq two weeks ago, the studio is pressing pause on the vampire adventure thriller that is to star Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. Marvel is temporarily shutting down production-related activities in Atlanta, where the project was to have shot starting in November, while it conducts a search for a filmmaker and further develops it.”

THR adds, “The studio is hoping to restart the production in early 2023.”

UPDATE: Blade will now release in theaters on September 6, 2024.

From what we gather, the search for a new director isn’t the only issue plaguing the production, and Marvel is likely looking to use this time to fine tune the script along the way.

No word yet on how this will impact the Blade movie’s current release plan, but we’ll of course be keeping our ear to the ground and we’ll report more as this story develops.

Stacy Osei-Kuffour (“Watchmen”) was originally brought on board to write the script for Blade, which has a cast including Aaron Pierre (Old) and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods).

At this time, it looks like Beau DeMayo (“The Witcher”) is currently working on the script.

The vampire-slaying character was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan, introduced in July 1973’s The Tomb of Dracula #10. Wesley Snipes played Blade across three films from 1998 through 2004, and he was played by Sticky Fingaz in a short-lived TV series.

Mahershala Ali in “True Detective”