Marvel’s upcoming Blade film, set to star Mahershala Ali, has found its new director in Yann Demange.
The Lovecraft Country and White Boy Rick director will take over from Bassam Tariq, who left the project back in September. Demange will also reportedly direct from a brand new script written by Michael Starrbury, which is said to be darker than most MCU movies.
After Tariq’s departure from the film, which was originally set to begin production in November, Marvel Studios focused on revamping the story and putting the right team in place, ultimately entering negotiations with Demange. Starrbury also replaces screenwriter Stacy Osei-Kuffour who was originally tapped to write the film’s script.
This news comes a month after Disney – Marvel’s parent company – delayed Blade from its planned November 2023 release to September 6, 2024.
Demange has often focused on gritty stories in his career, with his other projects including historical thriller ’71, zombie miniseries Dead Set, and crime series Top Boy.
In addition to Blade, Demange is also set to direct HBO’s series reboot of David Cronenberg‘s 1981 horror film Scanners, as well as another movie titled Dammi.
Blade is one of, if not the most anticipated upcoming MCU release. Ali’s casting was announced back in 2019, and while he made a brief voice cameo in the post-credits scene of Eternals, fans have been salivating to see him in full vampire-slaying regalia.
Unfortunately, with the delay, they’ll have to wait a little longer. But Demange has proven to be a good director during his career, and should be able to steer the film well. But it will be up to Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige as to how dark and violent the new Blade film gets, or whether it fits more inline with the rest of the MCU.
Blade will reportedly round off Marvel’s Phase Five, and will be followed by Deadpool 3 in November 2024. Phase Six will reportedly begin with Fantastic Four in 2025.
#Peace.Love.Blade
