In a surprising development, Yann Demange has stepped down as the director of Marvel Studios’ much-anticipated “Blade” reboot. The news, revealed exclusively by The Wrap, indicates that the parting was amicable and occurred some time ago. Demange, known for his work on acclaimed series such as “Lovecraft Country” and “Top Boy,” is the second director to leave the project, following Bassam Tariq’s exit.
Eric Pearson, a seasoned Marvel writer who recently worked on “Fantastic Four,” is now handling the “Blade” script. Previous drafts were penned by Michael Starrbury, Nic Pizzolatto, and Michael Green. Despite the directorial changes, Mahershala Ali remains committed to starring as the iconic half-human vampire hunter. Ali is also in talks to join the next “Jurassic World” film with Universal and Amblin.
An insider with knowledge of the situation emphasized that Marvel Studios is prioritizing getting “Blade” right over rushing its release. This approach aligns with Marvel’s new strategy to produce fewer films annually, allowing more time for development. The studio’s upcoming slate includes “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts,” and “Fantastic Four,” all of which are either nearly complete or well underway.
Since its announcement at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, the “Blade” reboot has faced multiple setbacks. Marvel’s team acknowledges the responsibility of rebooting a character that played a significant role in the company’s cinematic history. The original 1998 “Blade,” directed by Stephen Norrington and starring Wesley Snipes, was a critical and commercial success, paving the way for future Marvel films. It spawned two sequels and a TV series, establishing Blade as a key figure in the Marvel universe.
“Blade,” created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan, first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1973. The new film is set for release on November 7, 2025, with the studio committed to delivering a worthy successor to the beloved franchise.
The departure of Demange is the latest in a series of creative challenges for the project. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige had announced the reboot to much fanfare at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, surprising the crowd by bringing out Mahershala Ali and presenting him with a Blade cap. The film was preparing to go into production in the fall of 2022 when director Bassam Tariq exited over creative differences. Ali then handpicked Demange to direct, but the project was delayed by the writers’ strike in May 2023 and has yet to enter production.
Despite these hurdles, Ali remains attached to star in the project, and the studio is not looking to rush the film. Marvel mainstay Eric Pearson is working on the latest draft of the project, which has a release date of November 7, 2025. The Blade news also comes as Marvel recalibrates its output and expects to have more breathing room as it releases around two films a year, following pressures to ramp up film and TV content in the early 2020s.
Ali’s Blade made a voice cameo in a post-credits scene for “Eternals” that also featured Kit Harington, who played Dane Whitman in the film. Ali is the second actor to topline a Blade film, following Wesley Snipes, who starred in a trilogy in the 2000s.
“Blade” debuted in “The Tomb of Dracula No. 10” and was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan as a half-vampire who hunts vampires to avenge the death of his mother, who was killed by a vampire as she gave birth to him.
Marvel’s next releases include “Deadpool & Wolverine,” due out July 26, followed by “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts,” and “Fantastic Four.” The studio is committed to ensuring that “Blade” lives up to the high expectations set by its predecessors and the legacy of the character.
The Wrap first reported the news of Demange’s departure, marking another chapter in the ongoing saga of bringing “Blade” back to the big screen.
