After several behind-the-scene changes that eventually led to the project beingplaced on hold, Marvel Studio’s upcomingBladestarringMahershala Alihas started to once again find its footing. Following the announcement thatLovecraftCountrydirectorYann Demangewould be joining the film as its new director, the film reentered development, and now—thanks to a new interview withKevin Feige—we know that the film is set to begin filming in Atlanta in a few weeks time this summer.
Feige sat down withEntertainment Weeklyand went in depth about the recently wrapped up Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the just starting Phase 5, and the future of the massive multi-media juggernaut. During this interview, the question was posed of howBladewas moving along since it is still scheduled to release next year on June 02, 2025. Feige gave an optimistic answer as he said that Demange was on location in Atlanta, Georgia as they spoke and that cameras were set to roll soon. “It’s going well. Our director Yann [Demange] is down in Atlanta right now. Cameras roll in, like, the next 10 weeks or so,” said Feige
The Troubled Development ofBlade
The development of the upcoming film starring Marvel’s premiere vampire hunter was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 and was originally set to be directed byBassam Tariq. It was announced that Tariq would be stepping away from the film due to “continued shifts in the production schedule.” It was announced not too long after in October 2022 that the entire project, which was set to begin shooting in November, had been fully put on hold. The announcement of Demange joining the project as its director in November 2022 coincided with the announcement that Emmy-nominated screenwriterMichael Starrbury(When They See Us), would be penning a new screenplay for the film, replacingBeau DeMayowho was originally brought on to replaceStacy Osei-Kuffour. The movie is also set to starDelroy Lindo(The Good Fight) andAaron Pierre(Old). Tariq is still attached to the project as an executive producer.
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The long and issue-laden production ofBladethat led to the project’s official pause upon Tariq’s departure had a ripple effect through the rest of the MCU, withseveral other upcoming projects having release date changesback in the middle of October along with theBladepostponement. These changes include the MCU debut of the Merc with the Mouth withDeadpool 3starringRyan ReynoldsandHugh Jackman, the latter of which will be returning to his iconic role of Wolverine, being pushed back from June 06, 2025, the spot now occupied byBlade, to July 01, 2025. This then led to a delay for the newFantastic Fourfilm fromWandaVisionhelmerMatt Shakman. With its original release date of June 02, 2025, now being taken byDeadpool 3, the film will now premiere on June 13, 2025. Finally, the Multiverse Saga’s culmination,Avengers: Secret Wars, was also moved from June 11, 2025, to August 03, 2025.
Bladeis currently scheduled to release on August 27, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for future developments on the project and other news from the MCU. While we wait for more Blade news check out our interview with David Harbour who’ll be filming the MCU’sThunderboltsin Atlanta this summer.
