Blade: Release Date Canceled Indefinitely!
The movie was first announced in 2019
So much for the return of the vampire hunter: the reboot of "Blade" was originally announced at the San Diego Comic Con in 2019, but then the production kept attracting attention due to major problems. Now Disney is pulling the ripcord and postponing the release date indefinitely.
Whether we will ever get to see the new "Blade" film remains unclear for the time being. Only recently, a new director had been found in Jeymes Samuel - known for "The Harder They Fall" - and things finally seemed to be looking promising. The planned R-rating and the casting of Mahershala Ali in particular were met with excitement. After all, for many, Wesley Snipes is inseparably linked to the character of Blade. Whether production will even come about now is completely uncertain.
Nevertheless, Marvel still seems to be making big plans: Three dates for new movies have been announced. The MCU films are scheduled for release on February 18, 2028, May 5, 2028 and November 10, 2028. However, it is currently unknown which movies are involved. The former release date of "Blade" on November 7, 2025 will now be filled by "Predator: Badlands", which, unlike its predecessor "Prey", will have a theatrical release.
An Overview of the Blade Series
The "Blade" film series has had a decisive influence on modern superhero cinema and is considered an important precursor to today's Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). With a dark style, unique aesthetics and an action-packed plot, "Blade" brought the world of comics to the movies in a new, unexpected way. The character of the half-vampire and vampire hunter Blade, played by Wesley Snipes, became iconic as a result of the films, and the trilogy was instrumental in making comic book adaptations a permanent staple of blockbuster cinema.
Blade (1998) - The Beginning of a New Era
The first "Blade" film was released in 1998 and brought Marvel unforeseen acclaim. It was directed by Stephen Norrington and the screenplay was written by David S. Goyer, who later also worked on the scripts for Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy. The movie is about Blade, a daywalker - a half-human, half-vampire being. He possesses the strengths of vampires, but is immune to their weaknesses, such as sunlight. Blade's goal is to hunt vampires and thwart their plans.
In this first film, Blade faces off against the evil vampire Deacon Frost (played by Stephen Dorff), who wants to establish vampire rule on Earth. Wesley Snipes embodies Blade as a fierce, battle-hardened hero who is willing to do anything to protect humanity from the vampires.
"Blade" was a huge success for Marvel and Hollywood, both at the box office and with critics. The movie grossed around 131 million US dollars worldwide and showed that comic book adaptations do not always have to be bright and cheerful, but can also be dark and action-packed. This success paved the way for later successful comic book adaptations.
Blade II (2002) - Even More Action
"Blade II" was released in 2002, directed by Guillermo del Toro, who later became known for his works such as "Pan's Labyrinth" and "The Shape of Water". The second part of the film series expanded the universe and deepened the mythology surrounding Blade and the vampires.
In this sequel, Blade must work together with his former enemies - the vampires - to fight a new threat, the so-called Reapers. These creatures are a mutation of vampires and endanger both humans and vampires in equal measure. The cooperation leads to tensions and exciting action sequences.
"Blade II" was even more intense and visually impressive than its predecessor. With its special sense of aesthetics and del Toro's unique direction, the film managed to create an intense mix of action and horror. It grossed around 155 million US dollars worldwide, making it even more successful than the first part. The action choreography and visual effects were particularly praised by fans.
Blade: Trinity (2004) - The Controversial Finale
The third and final part of the original trilogy, "Blade: Trinity", was released in 2004. This time, screenwriter David S. Goyer directed the movie himself. Blade faces the ultimate threat in this movie: Dracula, who has been resurrected as the ancestor of all vampires in order to put an end to Blade's battle against the vampires. Dracula was played by Dominic Purcell.
In "Blade: Trinity", Blade is assisted by a team of vampire hunters known as the Nightstalkers, including the characters Abigail Whistler (played by Jessica Biel) and Hannibal King (played by Ryan Reynolds). The film focuses on the conflict between Blade and Dracula, but also offers more humorous and lighter moments than its previous installments, which was met with mixed reactions from fans.
With global box office takings of 132 million US dollars, "Blade: Trinity" was not quite able to match the success of its two predecessors. Critics found fault with the weak plot and the stylistic break from the previous movies. Nevertheless, the movie remains an important part of the series and introduced some interesting new characters to the Blade universe.
