Director Bassam Tariq’s exit is not the only thing that has fans of Marvel Studios’ Blade concerned – a lot more seems to be happening.
When Marvel announced that they would be bringing Blade to life in their newest phase, fans rejoiced at seeing Mahershala Ali take up the mantle of the half-vampire daywalker.
In the last 24 hours, however, Blade’s future seems to be hanging in the balance. First came the news of director Bassam Tariq walking away from the project. Then came speculations that things are not all well behind the scenes.
According to journalist Jeff Sneider, sources are saying that leading man Ali is not happy with how the script is shaping up – said script also seems to be only 90 pages long and features only two ‘lacklustre’ action sequences. This is after multiple rounds of reported rewrites. Production for the movie was set to begin in November, with the release slated for a year later in November 2023.
I’m told that the current BLADE script is roughly 90 pages and features exactly TWO (lackluster) action sequences. Mahershala said to be very frustrated with the process. Feige said to be spread too thin. But hey, that’s just what sources are telling me. Don’t shoot the messenger
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) September 28, 2022
According to Sneider’s sources, Ali is ‘frustrated’ with the process. Said sources also expressed doubt about Kevin Feige’s handling of the entire affair, claiming that he was ‘spread too thin’.
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So far, Marvel has remained mum on everything other than Tariq’s departure from the film, although sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the studio has already begun the search for another director.
I guess production was always scheduled for November but whatever. It’s easier to get details straight when the studio calls you back. Must be nice…
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) September 28, 2022
“Due to continued shifts in our production schedule, Bassam is no longer moving forward as director of Blade but will remain an executive producer on the film,” Marvel’s statement to THR, who first reported the departure, read. “We appreciate Bassam’s talent and all the work he’s done getting Blade to where it is.”
Tariq returned the favourable words in his own statement, saying: “It’s been an honor working with the wonderful folks at Marvel. We were able to put together a killer cast and crew. Eager to see where the next director takes the film.”
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