Disney has postponed the release of Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated reboot of Blade, replacing it with 20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands set for 7 November 2025. This change follows the success of the Predator franchise’s recent instalment, Prey, which emerged as a sleeper hit on Disney+ in 2022.
Blade, announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, has faced multiple setbacks including the global pandemic, industry strikes, and changes in its production team. Currently, the project is without a director. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige emphasised the importance of not rushing the film, ensuring it meets the high standards set by its predecessors. Feige, speaking to Black Tree TV in July, stated, “For the last few years, as we’ve been trying to crack that movie, the most important thing for us is not rushing it, and making sure we are making the right Blade movie. Because there were some great Blade movies years ago.”
Mahershala Ali stars as the titular vampire hunter in the reboot, aiming to build upon the legacy of the original Blade films. The first of these films launched in 1998 and starred Wesley Snipes, leading to a trilogy that grossed a total of US$418.1 million worldwide. Snipes himself made a nostalgic return in this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine, humorously addressing the uniqueness of his Blade portrayal in a meta-joke (“There’s only been one Blade. Only ever gonna be one Blade.”).
Meanwhile, Predator: Badlands will be directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who also helmed Prey. The upcoming film stars Elle Fanning and marks a return to theatrical releases for the franchise. Trachtenberg’s direction in Prey was well-received, sparking discussions about the potential underutilisation of direct-to-streaming releases for such high-caliber films.
The Predator franchise, which started with the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by John McTiernan, has experienced various highs and lows. Including the two Alien vs. Predator movies, the franchise’s total global earnings stand at US$750.6 million.
As for Blade, Marvel Studios has reassured fans of its commitment to delivering a film that honours the iconic character, with ongoing script development by Marvel mainstay Eric Pearson. Despite indefinite delays, the anticipation for a new chapter in the Blade saga remains high, paralleled by excitement for the continuation of the Predator legacy in theatres with Predator: Badlands.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
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