The Real Reason Marvel's 'Blade' Pauses Production, Delays 'Deadpool', Avengers', and More
Marvel announces delays in several upcoming films amidst this internal issue.
With a new timeline of films set to release in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios may have found itself in a tight predicament due to internal issues with one of its films, "Blade", resulting in delays for its other titles. The film stars Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali as a half-vampire based on the comics, with the project first announced during the 2019 Comic-con.
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The Internal Conflicts With 'Blade'
In September, director Bassam Tariq reportedly left the production of "Blade", with Marvel Studios' official explanation being "continued shifts in our production schedule". Since then, however, a new director has not been set to replace director Bassam Tariq, thus the pause in production for "Blade".
"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 Studios announced in a public statement. "We appreciate Bassam's talent and all the work he's done getting Blade to where it is."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, they noted that the film is being put on hold while they continue to "further develop" the project. Additionally, the film has undergone "several rounds of script rewrites", implying that there are more internal issues other than searching for a new director.
"Blade", which was initially anticipated for a November 2023 release, was expected to begin production this fall 2022, however, the recent pause may prove this uncertain.
More Marvel Films Delayed
In addition to the delay with "Blade", other anticipated titles such as "Deadpool 3", "Fantastic Four", and "Avengers: Secret Wars".
"Deadpool 3" originally had its release date of September 6, 2024, however, due to recent development, Ryan Reynolds' comeback will be pushed back to November 8, 2024. Meanwhile, the "Fantastic Four" film will have a three month delay to February 14, 2025.
Fortunately, the upcoming fourth installment, the "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" was able to retain its original release date of May 2, 2025, but the fifth installment of the blockbuster films, "Avengers: Secret Wars" has been pushed back from November 7, 2025, to May 1, 2026, giving the two films a one year gap in between.
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