The much-aligned Blade movie may have found a new director, and is still on track to be a big part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Who is the new Blade director?
According to a recent report from World of Reel, Jeymes Samuel has recently met with Marvel Studios over the potential job. While nothing has officially been announced, the report mentions that Samuel impressed Marvel, potentially leading to a partnership.
World of Reel’s report also mentions that, despite rumors that Blade was going to be canceled by Marvel Studios, that’s never been the case. The report notes that the film is still being listed as a “major priority” by Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige.
The history of Blade’s director, and the development of the film, is a long one. Prior to Samuel’s rumored involvement, the movie was set to be directed by Bassam Tariq. However, Tariq left the project in 2022, and was replaced by Yann Demange, who subsequently left as well. The movie will reportedly star Mahershala Ali and Mia Goth, who is rumored to be playing the role of Lilith.
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Originally set to release on November 3, 2023, Blade ended up being delayed to September 6, 2024. Now, the film is currently without a release date, although World of Reel’s report notes that Marvel is potentially eyeing a November 1, 2024 date for production to begin.
Samuel — who also goes by The Bullitts — made his feature film directorial debut in 2021, with the Netflix Western The Harder They Fall. The movie earned him a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. In 2023, Samuels wrote and directed The Book of Clarence, which starred LaKeith Stanfield.
Wesley Snipes previously starred as the titular Daywalker in the New Line Cinema Blade trilogy from the late ’90s to early 2000s. He was then played by Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones in the 2006 Spike TV series. Most recently, in 2022’s Marvel’s Midnight Suns video game, the character was voiced by Michael Jai White.
