According to Variety, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Blade film, originally set to release on November 7, 2025, will no longer hit theaters on that date, as Disney has removed it from the schedule. What’s more, no new premiere date has been announced, leaving the debut of Mahershala Ali’s portrayal of the half-vampire in the MCU uncertain for now.
However, there’s also good news: replacing Blade in the schedule is Predator: Badlands, a new standalone entry in the long-running franchise, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who helmed the successful Prey. Disney has also locked in three additional premiere dates for 2028—February 18, May 5, and November 10—although the titles for those releases remain a mystery.
Unfortunately, it’s not too surprising that Blade has been delayed. Disney CEO Bob Iger previously hinted that no more than three Marvel films should be released in a given year. With Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps slated for next year and reportedly further along in production than Blade, it’s understandable why the vampire hunter’s adventure has been pushed back.
Originally, Blade was supposed to premiere last year, but it was delayed first to this year, then to next, and now, with all the ongoing issues surrounding the project, the further delay doesn’t come as a shock.
The film’s first director, Bassam Tariq, departed the project early on, and in June of this year, his replacement, Yann Demange, also stepped down. So, it’s safe to say that Blade’s journey to the big screen has been anything but smooth for the MCU.
