"If they wanted to do it, we would've done it": Actor Mahershala Ali on Marvel not making 'Blade'
Washington DC, August 1
Marvel's movie 'Blade' had piqued hopes of fans after the entertainment brand announced the film during a surprise Comic-Con appearance in 2019, but the film eventually did not get made. Actor Mahershala Ali has now opened up about the cancellation, as per a report by Deadline.
According to the outlet, in a new interview, Ali opened up about being attached to the project that had been in development for years.
"Not with me," Ali told GQ when asked if the Blade reboot was closer to materialising.
He continued, "No offence to them. I've been doing this professionally for pushing 30 years now, and one thing I've learned is that what is for you is for you and what is not is not. For whatever reason, that project is not for me. If they wanted to do it, we would've done it. So I have to move on, and I have moved on," as quoted by Deadline.
"So, I'm good. Again, you had me under contract, they have billions of dollars, if they wanted to do the movie, we would've done the movie. So we're not doing the movie," added Ali as quoted by Deadline.
Initially, Marvel Studios hired director Bassam Tariq, and later Yann Demange, to helm the film. Now, after production stalled out, Ali and Tariq have teamed up in the wake of the failed Marvel movie to make this fall's Amazon MGM action film, 'Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.'
"When I look at this and 'Blade,' I couldn't have done both, and the reason this even exists is because that project fell apart and Bassam had the time, space, energy, and focus to go and write this and then re-approach me," Ali told GQ as quoted by Deadline.
"And I was able to use those skills that I had been working on for over a year training for 'Blade.' In that way, I feel creatively redeemed on some level, just in my own journey between me, myself, and I," added Ali as quoted by Deadline.
Last week at San Diego Comic-Con, Feige announced a 'Ghost Rider' movie starring Ryan Gosling and 'Black Panther 3,' starring David Jonsson as the new hero.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Marvel keeps announcing these big projects at Comic-Con and then shelving them. It happened with 'Inhumans', now 'Blade'. They need to stop with the hype and actually deliver something. At least Ali found something better to do.
As someone who grew up watching Wesley Snipes' Blade, this is disappointing. But honestly, Mahershala Ali is such a class act. His attitude is like our Indian philosophy - "Jo hota hai, ache ke liye hota hai." What is meant for you will find its way. 🙏
Marvel has become a factory that just churns out announcements. They've been teasing this Blade movie since 2019 and still haven't gotten it together. The real losers here are the fans who were excited about seeing Ali in this iconic role. At least he didn't waste any more time on it.
The part about him using his Blade training in another movie is so inspiring! He took the negative experience and turned it into something positive. This reminds me of our bollywood actors who train for years - at least his hard work didn't go to waste.
Honestly, Marvel is making a mistake. Mahershala Ali would have been perfect for Blade. But if they didn't have a proper vision for the film, better to not make it at all than to make a half-baked one like some of their recent Phase 4/5 releases. 😕
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.