Delroy Lindo Reveals Why Marvel’s Blade Reboot Failed: ‘It Went Off the Rails’

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The ongoing delay in Marvel’s Blade reboot has kept it stagnant in production for quite some time now, and a former cast member, Delroy Lindo, has provided insights into the reasons behind this. In an open discussion, Lindo revealed that the challenges extended beyond mere scheduling conflicts or script modifications, hinting at more substantial issues behind the scenes.

Lindo’s Early Excitement and Vision for the Character

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lindo referred to the project as one that “derailed unexpectedly.” He shared that initial discussions with Marvel suggested they were keen on his creative ideas, particularly regarding the character he was assigned—a character Lindo likened to Marcus Garvey.

Lindo explained to EW that the man wasn’t exactly a follower of Marcus Garvey, but there were striking similarities in his philosophy, values, and motivations. This individual had built a community, much like the one portrayed in “Sinners”, and was the leader of this Black community.

Despite the promising start, things didn’t unfold as planned.

Lindo recounted, “The idea was truly thrilling, and I was equally excited about the character development it promised. Unfortunately, for some reason, it veered off course.

Lindo’s remarks align with what fans and industry experts have speculated for quite some time now. Ever since the announcement of the Blade reboot in 2019, featuring Mahershala Ali as the lead character, the project has run into almost every creative challenge one could think of.

The movie underwent a series of changes, passing through the hands of two directors, Bassam Tariq and Yann Demange, due to alleged creative disputes. In addition, it was frequently revised. To add to the chaos, recent writers’ and actors’ strikes caused the entire project to come to a standstill, prompting Marvel to remove the film from its 2025 release schedule as reported by Deadline. This latest development is just another challenge in the ongoing saga of the Blade reboot.

Marvel’s Blade Reboot Cursed With Delays and Departures

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel the weight of Lindo’s departure and the delays we’ve been experiencing, only adding to the mounting complexities surrounding Marvel’s approach to Blade. For numerous fans like myself, this project has come to symbolize the studio’s transition into more diverse storylines within the MCU. Yet, these challenges might also hint at a broader problem—striking a balance between creative aspirations and actualization—a theme that seems to reverberate through many significant Marvel projects in recent times.

Despite appearances, Marvel isn’t giving up on its plans. As indicated by studio head Kevin Feige, the Blade project is still moving forward. He has emphasized that we can expect to see Ali’s version of Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe eventually, though a specific timeline has yet to be determined.

It’s been confirmed that the character will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but the specific date or sequence of events hasn’t been decided just yet.

What Wesley Snipes’ Cameo Means for Blade Fans

In the interim, fans at least received a minor compensation: Wesley Snipes, the actor who transformed Blade into a cult hero with his late-’90s trilogy, recently reappeared as the character for a short appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine.

In the movie, he stated as his character, “There’s only one Blade,” and added, “And there will never be another.” This brief appearance served as a delightful throwback for loyal fans, implying that although Marvel’s reboot may still be under wraps, the immortal Daywalker is not fading away anytime soon.

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2025-04-24 23:55