One of Marvel’s most-talked about upcoming projects since its announcement in 2019 has been Blade. However, although Mahershala Ali has already been revealed to be playing the eponymous title character, we haven’t heard much news about the project over the last few years. But it looks like things are beginning to happen.
Marvel is reportedly in talks with Mogul Mowgli director Bassam Tariq to helm Blade.
The studio was reportedly intent on hiring a person of color for the job, and met with a number of directors over the last few months, and Tariq looks to have secured the gig after giving his presentation for what a Blade movie should be. Stacy Osei-Kuffour is already on board to write the script.
Tariq only has two films under his belt – the 2013 documentary These Birds Walk and last year’s Mogul Mowgli, the other Riz Ahmed drama about a musician losing his hearing after the Oscar-nominated Sound Of Metal.
Despite his brief career, a director of Tariq’s stature being hired for this gig isn’t a huge surprise. Marvel has been tapping up-and-coming filmmakers for many of their Phase 4 projects.
Kate Herron has received acclaimed for handling the Loki series, while Nia da Costa – director of the upcoming Candyman – has been hired to helm Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels.
Big names such as Sam Raimi, Taika Waititi and James Gunn are still on board for various projects, but it’s good to see the MCU bringing in new filmmakers who have some fresh perspectives that will hopefully keep the MCU from becoming a homogeneous glut of similar-looking movies.
Marvel’s biggest worry should be that their product gets stale after so many years, especially after Avengers: Endgame gave audiences a satisfying place to stop watching if they were feeling burnt out.
So Tariq’s likely hiring, along with the other up-and-coming filmmakers Marvel have added to their roster, hopefully signals that the MCU is willing to divert from their steadfast model a little as more heroes and more overarching plot points like multiverses enter the picture.
Blade will no doubt be one of Marvel’s most anticipated films ever. Production on the film is expected to begin sometime in 2022.
#Peace.Love.Blade
