All articles tagged with #mahershala ali
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.
Mahershala Ali is joining HBO's Task for season 2, reuniting with Mark Ruffalo; Ali will play Eddie Barnes, a Philadelphia DEA agent, as the show returns with Brad Ingelsby as showrunner and Ruffalo's FBI agent Tom Brandis leading a new task force, with the season exploring loyalties and conflicts within the operation.
Mahershala Ali has joined HBO's Task Season 2, portraying Eddie Barnes, a seasoned Philadelphia DEA agent who clashes with Tom Brandis's new task force. He is the first confirmed addition beyond returning star Mark Ruffalo. The series, which premiered in September 2025, was renewed for a second season and is currently in pre-production.
Mahershala Ali is joining HBO's crime drama Task for Season 2, portraying Eddie Barnes, a seasoned Philadelphia DEA agent whose unit clashes with Mark Ruffalo's Agent Tom Brandis and his new task force; the season brings Ruffalo back, with Ingelsby as showrunner and wiip as executive producers, and follows the shift after Tom Pelphrey's character is killed at the end of Season 1.
Kevin Feige explains that the delay in the production of Mahershala Ali's 'Blade' is due to Marvel Studios prioritizing quantity over quality, and the project not being considered 'insanely great' at the initial stage, leading to a focus on ensuring a high-quality outcome.
Kevin Feige confirmed that Mahershala Ali's 'Blade' is still in development, but delays were caused by Marvel's over-expansion and the studio's shift towards quality over quantity, leading to reevaluation and postponement of the project. The film's production has faced multiple director changes and script iterations, with the studio now focusing on a modern-day setting and ensuring a unique approach.
Gareth Edwards' film Jurassic World Rebirth was originally scripted to kill Mahershala Ali's character Duncan, but studio pressure led to a version where the character survives, which was ultimately well-received by test audiences.