Director Yann Demange Departs Marvel’s ‘Blade’

It’s just the latest issue for the troubled production, which has seen numerous script drafts, release date delays and other problems.

(Left) Mahershala Ali attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. (Right) Marvel Studios' 'Blade.'

Preview:

Director Yann Demange has left Marvel’s ‘Blade’.
Mahershala Ali is still attached to star.
Marvel is hoping to have the movie out next year.

And so the wheel turns on ‘Blade’. Possibly the most troubled of Marvel’s movies in development, it has been a nightmare for the studio, losing writers, cast and directors as it stumbles through the process.

Today brings yet another issue, as, according to The Wrap, Yann Demange becomes the latest director to depart the film, which –– at least for now –– still boasts ‘Green Book’s Mahershala Ali as its star.

Blade

Not Yet Rated

An upcoming film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) sixth Phase and part of The Multiverse Saga, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Plot... Read the Plot

What’s the story of ‘Blade’?

Blade from Marvel Comics. Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.

Originally crafted by Gene Colan and Marv Wolfman as a human who was immune to vampire bites, he was later changed to Eric Cross Brooks, whose mother is murdered by the bloodsucker Deacon Frost as she gives birth. The attack passes on vampire enzymes to her child, who becomes a Dhampir – a mix of both human and vampire.

Gifted with speed, strength, and the ability to walk in the daylight (hence his other name, the Daywalker), his mission is to hunt down and destroy vampires. In his time, he’s crossed paths with many notable Marvel characters in the comics, including Spider-Man and the Avengers. He’s also battled living vampire Morbius, who had his own movie out in 2022, starring Jared Leto.

Yet Blade is probably most famous for the trilogy of movies released by New Line in 1998, 2002 and 2004, starring Wesley Snipes as the gruff, sword-swinging character.

The MCU version’s story is still so far a mystery: whether it’ll deal with Blade’s origins is unknown for now, but we can expect plenty of vampire-killing action.

What has happened with ‘Blade’ so far?

Blade from Marvel Comics. Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.

The movie was launched on the public consciousness with much excitement: Ali was announced as the star as a surprise at the end of Marvel’s 2019 San Diego Comic-Con panel.

Roughly two years later, ‘Mogul Mowgli’ director Bassam Tariq was hired to make the movie and with Stacy Osei-Kuffour on board to write the script, the movie was headed towards a shoot planned for late in 2022 and a November 3rd, 2023, release date.

That, obviously, did not happen. Multiple reports of script issues led to changes. Marvel veteran writer Eric Pearson, who most recently worked on ‘Fantastic Four’ is currently looking to salvage the ‘Blade’ script. Michael Starrbury, Nic Pizzolatto and Michael Green wrote previous drafts.

Tariq jumped ship in September 2022, but there was hope when ‘White Boy Rick’s Demange was hired to replace him. Now, of course, Demange has similarly jumped ship.

With Marvel’s new commitment to quality over quantity (only one movie from the company will be released this year –– ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, next month) the delay is likely more a sign of it trying to get ‘Blade’ right as opposed to rushing it into theaters.

When will ‘Blade’ be in theaters?

‘Blade’ is a movie that Disney and Marvel have dated more than once, only for the film’s to require a shift. Currently, the release is set for November 7th, 2025, though the latest director departure may well scupper those plans.