Marvel removes ‘Blade’ from its 2025 schedule, and the new ‘Predator’ film gets a theatrical release date.
This decision follows the success of 20th Century Studios’ ‘Predator’ movie, ‘Prey,’ which did well on Hulu in 2022. Dan Trachtenberg, who directed ‘Prey,’ is back to direct a new film called ‘Badlands,’ starring Elle Fanning. It wasn’t clear if this movie would be shown in theaters or just streamed.
The ‘Predator’ film is taking the release date that was originally for Marvel’s ‘Blade,’ which Disney has now taken off the schedule. This change isn’t surprising because ‘Blade’ doesn’t have a director and has had many delays.
Marvel Studios announced ‘Blade’ at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, but the movie has faced several problems, like the pandemic, labor strikes, and losing two directors. However, the studio still wants to make the film, which stars Mahershala Ali as Blade, the vampire hunter.
Marvel’s boss, Kevin Feige, confirmed in July that he is committed to the project, saying to Black Tree TV, “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.”
Eric Pearson, who worked on ‘Black Widow’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ is writing the script for ‘Blade.’ Wesley Snipes starred in three ‘Blade’ movies from 1998 to 2004 and made a surprise appearance in this summer’s ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’ In that movie, Snipes’ Blade joked that no one could replace him, and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool looked at the camera knowingly.
“They really care. They do. They want to make a great movie, that’s the sense that I get from them, and that feels good,” Mia Goth previously defended delays of ‘Blade’ in an interview with Deadline.
Marvel also announced release dates for untitled projects on February 18, 2028, May 5, 2028, and November 10, 2028.
The ‘Predator’ franchise started with the 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Over the years, it has had its ups and downs, but the film ‘Prey’ brought new life to the story of an alien hunter that comes to Earth to hunt the most dangerous creatures.
