All articles tagged with #blade
Wonder Man, which premiered in January 2026 and was renewed for a second season, was canceled weeks later. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II says the decision deserves study and points to opaque viewership data as the business reason, highlighting concerns about which Marvel projects get prioritized and the optics of cancellations like the Blade remake.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II says Marvel’s optics are obvious after Wonder Man was canceled and the long-gestating Blade movie stalled, arguing Disney/Marvel should focus on quality storytelling rather than being tied to controversial optics.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II says Marvel blamed Wonder Man’s cancellation on viewership and criticizes the Blade project’s optics as obvious, underscoring disagreement with Marvel’s rationale for the show’s cancellation.
Mahershala Ali says he’s moving on from the Blade reboot, telling GQ that if Marvel had wanted to make the movie, they would’ve done it by now; after years of delays and leadership changes, he won’t be known for remakes and is pursuing original projects, with his next film connected to Bassam Tariq after Blade’s collapse.
Marvel confirms the long-gestating Blade movie with Mahershala Ali is officially canceled, marking one of the decade’s high-profile misfires for the studio. The news affects not just the film, but related projects like Arkane’s Blade game and the broader Marvel slate, while Ali moves on to other roles. Blade will continue to appear in comics and games, and there’s chatter about reviving the concept in animation or in other media. Meanwhile, Marvel faces ongoing scrutiny over Black characters in the Multiverse Saga, even as Ghost Rider’s solo film targets a 2028 release.
In a GQ interview, Mahershala Ali says he has moved on from the Blade reboot, noting that if Marvel wanted to move forward, they would have by now and that the project isn’t happening for him, effectively confirming Blade’s current status as not moving forward.
Mahershala Ali claims Blade never happened because Marvel didn’t push it despite his contract and the studio’s billions; Marvel chief Kevin Feige later said the project stalled as the script wasn’t deemed ‘insanely great’ enough. Ali has since teamed with Bassam Tariq on a separate Amazon MGM action film and says he’s moved on, noting that if Marvel had really wanted Blade, they would have done it.
Mahershala Ali confirms the Blade reboot is not moving forward at Marvel, saying that if Marvel wanted the project, they would’ve done it, and he’s ready to move on; Kevin Feige previously described the situation as a major disappointment for not getting the project off the ground, while Ali has since pursued other roles and projects.
The Booster Gold live-action series at HBO is not moving forward, with writer David Jenkins confirming on Threads that his version won’t become a series; he also echoed Mahershala Ali’s public stance on Blade, though a studio source says the project remains in development as DC/HBO continue to explore related work.
Mahershala Ali says he’s not starring in Marvel’s Blade, asserting the project wasn’t for him and Marvel didn’t want to move forward despite him being under contract; the Blade reboot has faced a troubled history with directors leaving and momentum stalling, and Feige has acknowledged the frustration. Ali trained for Blade but moved on, later re-teaming with Bassam Tariq on Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, while Disney+ canceled Wonder Man.
In a GQ interview, Mahershala Ali says Blade won’t happen for him and he’s moved on to Bassam Tariq’s Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, an original, mercy-centered action drama about Latif, a devout Muslim Houston hitman who must protect his newborn after his wife’s death while navigating a religious-political conflict led by Pastor Hwan Yoon (John Cho). Tariq drew from a personal pandemic crisis to craft a story that blends grounded combat with magical realism; production faced challenges like coordinating stunts with a baby on set and involving the local Black Muslim community. Ali trained for stunts and emphasizes he’s done discussing Blade, choosing a project he believes will resonate through originality and depth.
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige expressed disappointment over the failed Blade reboot with Mahershala Ali, saying he feels like a gigantic loser for not getting the project off the ground. Blade weathered multiple writers and director changes, with Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange exiting; Marvel even removed Blade from its release calendar in 2024 as delays mounted. Feige attributed the setback to Marvel's over-expansion into Disney+ content and the aim to deliver an insanely great script, while Ali remained eager to play Blade and a cameo-friendly Deadpool and Wolverine project offered a glimmer of the character’s return.
Gear Patrol’s weekly roundup highlights nine new EDC items—knives and multitools from Buck, Titaner, Prometheus Design Werx, Leatherman, Benchmade, GiantMouse, Böker, Remette and CJRB—featuring the Buck 119 Special America 250 Edition, a Titaner Hornbill with M390 steel, a Cerakote PDW STS-SFLT, Leatherman Adapter, Benchmade Bugout in Taiga Green, GiantMouse Ace Zoobie, Böker Cable WWI replica, Remette Cathedral and CJRB Spud, with prices spanning roughly $40 to $500.
Arkane Lyon’s future is under review as negotiations with its Works Council explore potential closure or sale amid a broader Xbox restructuring led by new leadership. The studio’s founder, Raphael Colantonio, publicly quipped “how much?” in response to a layoff memo from Xbox’s Asha Sharma, signaling possible buyer interest or investor talks. Marvel’s Blade, Arkane’s high-profile project, has been delayed and over budget, complicating any deal. If Arkane is wound down, Microsoft would unwind both Arkane studios it acquired with Bethesda; Arkane Austin has already shuttered in 2024. The process could take months and may involve layoffs or management changes.
Microsoft’s Xbox division reportedly plans sweeping layoffs starting July 6, including shutting down Arkane Studios and canceling the Blade project, with five studios potentially closed or sold (Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, Arkane). The moves follow a memo from CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty about over-extension, and come amid ongoing industry layoffs and prior studio restructurings; unions are pushing for transparency and good-faith negotiations.