Blade movie: Release date, cast, & more

Mahershala Ali and Wesley Snipes as Blade20th Century Studios/New Line Cinema

Blade is making his epic return by taking a bite out of the MCU (or at least, we hope he is). Here’s what we know about the Blade release date to its supernatural cast and potential story, plus all the drama behind the scenes.

Before gods and titans fell out of the sky in Marvel movies, Wesley Snipes suited up as Eric Brooks, AKA Blade. The 1998 flick is a cult hit, though its sequels left a little to be desired.

Article continues after ad

Ushering in a darker era of superhero movies, the David S. Goyer-penned film has remained a favorite among fans. And, much to our excitement, the MCU is rebooting the character with a new movie.

But, things are not going smoothly for the new Blade movie so far. Check out all the good news, and the bad news, below.

Blade release date

Blade will be released on November 7, 2025.

It’ll be the last movie in the MCU’s Phase Five, after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, The Marvels, Captain America 4, and Thunderbolts.

Article continues after ad

The film has had a very rocky road to screen, with multiple rounds of rewrites, director swaps, and delays. That date may end up changing again soon, as the project lost another director in June 2024.

Blade MCU cast

Mahershala Ali will star as Eric Brooks/Blade, alongside Delroy Lindo, Aaron Pierre, and Mia Goth.

Blade in Marvel Comics.Marvel Comics

Goth, most known for MaXXXine and Infinity Pool, is the latest addition to the cast. It’s unclear who she’ll be playing in the movie.

Article continues after ad

And while director Bassam Tariq had been attached to helm the project, he stepped down from the role and will instead serve as an executive producer. Marvel told the Hollywood Reporter that the decision was “due to continued shifts” in the “production schedule.”

On November 21, 2022, director Yann Demange was announced as director, and Michael Starrbury as a writer. However, on June 12, 2024, Demange stepped down from the role due to creative differences.

We expect to see familiar characters such as Blade’s trusted partner Abraham Whistler or his original mentor, Jamal Afari.

Article continues after ad

Who Blade will face off against is intriguing, as The Boys star Anthony Starr has been rumored to portray Dracula. The villain previously appeared in Wesley Snipes’ trilogy, so we’re unsure whether Kevin Feige and his team will want to showcase old ground on the big screen.

Is there a Blade trailer?

A trailer for Blade has yet to be released, and it’ll be a while before we see any footage, likely in 2025.

If you want a quick dopamine hit, you can check out the moment Mahershala Ali was announced as the new Blade above.

Article continues after ad

What will it be about?

The Blade plot is unknown. However, Blade’s origin is that he’s a half-vampire half-human.

In the comics, Blade is a demi-vampire who hunts his kind, wearing a lot of black leather.

It won’t be the first time we’ve met Ali’s Blade. In the end credits of Chloe Zhao’s Eternals, Ali depicted Blade off-screen via a voice cameo, speaking with Kit Harrington’s soon-to-be Black Knight.

All plot rumors come from unsubstituted leaks, so if you want official details or want to avoid potential spoilers we recommend waiting for a synopsis straight from Marvel. About those rumors though…

Article continues after ad

The plot is also said to begin in the 1920s with Blade’s pregnant mother, who receives treatment from a vampire who preyed on her. None of this has been confirmed.

According to a leak from Geek Vibe Nation, the film will take place across 80 years, starting in 1900 and ending in 1980. However, this timeline is yet to be confirmed by Marvel.

An alleged plot leak from the /tv/ board on 4Chan claimed the film will end by following the life of Blade’s daughter, Brielle Brooks.

Article continues after ad

Leaker DanielRPK also said the film was still undergoing major rewrites in May 2024. Additionally, they claimed filming would take place in the Fall of 2024 in Mexico/Brazil.

Is the MCU Blade movie Rated-R?

Blade will be R-rated.

“They gave me the R, which is so important,” director Demange said to Deadline.

He added, “For Blade, we are going to have fun because Mahershala is such a deep actor. I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that. He’s got dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.”

Article continues after ad

That’s everything we know about the Blade release date for now. In the meantime, check out Deadpool 3Fantastic Four, Avengers 5, Avengers Secret Wars, and Marvel Zombies.