David S. Goyer Open to Writing Marvel’s Blade Reboot
Goyer’s Interest in the Blade Franchise
David S. Goyer, the writer behind the original Blade trilogy starring Wesley Snipes, has expressed his willingness to step back into the writer’s room for Mahershala Ali’s much-anticipated Blade reboot. During an interview with ScreenRant, Goyer stated, “I would. I’ve always loved the character and I love him.” His keen interest reflects both his affection for the character and his curiosity regarding the film’s prolonged development process.
Development Challenges for Blade
The journey to bringing Blade back to the silver screen has not been smooth. Since Marvel first announced the film with Ali in July 2019, it has faced several obstacles, including multiple changes in writers and directors. Bassam Tariq, the original director, exited in September 2022, shortly before production was set to begin. Over the years, various screenwriters have joined the project, including Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Michael Starrbury, demonstrating the fluctuating vision for the movie.
Current Project Status
As of November 2023, reports indicated that the Blade script had undergone a significant number of revisions—at least five writers had contributed to it at that time. Some insiders noted that the storyline had shifted to feature female leads and included life lessons, reflecting a broader trend in storytelling. Recent speculations suggested that Marvel aims to produce the film on a budget of under $100 million, despite taking Blade off its release schedule.
Marvel’s Commitment to Blade
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, emphasized the studio’s commitment to Blade during a BlackTree TV interview. He explained that prioritizing quality over speed is essential to crafting an effective adaptation. “For the last two 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,” Feige noted.
Blade’s Role in the MCU
After Blade was removed from the release calendar, Feige reassured fans of the character’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). “We are committed to Blade. We love the character. We love Mahershala’s take on him,” he said, indicating that despite the detours, plans are still in place for Blade’s eventual introduction to the MCU.
A Glimpse at the Character’s Legacy
Wesley Snipes’ portrayal of Blade has left an indelible mark, culminating in a memorable cameo in the latest Deadpool movie. Here, he quips, “There’s only been one Blade. There will only ever be one Blade,” a statement that underscores the lasting legacy of his character in the superhero genre.