‘Blade’ production in Atlanta delayed as director search continues

Sorry “Blade” fans, it looks like we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for this movie.

While production for the Marvel Studios film had begun in Atlanta, it has now come to a full stop due to the search for a new director. It was just about two weeks ago that the movie’s original director, Bassam Tariq, parted ways with the project due to “continued shifts in our production schedule.” At the time, it seemed as if Marvel had someone else who could step in right away and keep things on schedule, but now it seems as if the studio will take a look at a wider range of prospects to head up “Blade.”

The film had previously been set to begin filming next month and open on Nov. 3, 2023. With the current delay, it looks like Marvel has its eyes set on restarting production in the early part of next year.

If you’re not familiar with “Blade,” it’s based on the character created by writer Marv Wolfman in 1973 for “The Tomb of Dracula No. 10.” The character was previously brought to life on screen in an early 2000s trilogy starring Wesley Snipes, as a half-mortal, half-immortal who hunts vampires in order to get revenge for his mother who was killed by a vampire when she gave birth to him. The movie’s latest frontman is Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali.

Last year, Blade made its MCU debut during one of the mid-credit scenes of “Eternals.” There is not much to go on, as we don’t see Ali, we only hear his voice when he asks Dane Whitman if he’s ready to take over the mantle of the Black Night. This led some fans to wonder if “Blade” would feature other Marvel heroes connected to the supernatural, such as the Black Knight.