**Kevin Feige Expresses Regret Over Delayed ‘Blade’ Reboot**
Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, has publicly acknowledged that the long-awaited reboot of the Blade franchise remains one of his most significant disappointments. In a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Feige candidly discussed the troubled project starring Mahershala Ali, expressing a sense of failure over its lack of progress.
During the conversation, host Joshua Horowitz prompted Feige about the developmental woes of the Blade reboot, which was first announced in 2019. “This poor project. We just need to get this done, Kevin. How are you doing?” Horowitz quipped. In a light-hearted manner, Feige responded, “Should we get into a therapy session?” His jest lightly masked the seriousness of the subject, reflecting on the challenges that have plagued the film since its inception.
Feige mentioned his pride in having brought the original Blade, portrayed by Wesley Snipes, back to the Marvel universe in the recent Deadpool movie. However, he could not hide his disappointment that the reboot featuring Ali has not yet materialised. “I’m feeling very excited that we got Wesley back for a time in Deadpool & Wolverine and like a gigantic loser and failure that we didn’t get off the ground with Mahershala,” he shared.
The Blade reboot was formally unveiled to fans when Ali, a two-time Oscar winner, made a surprise appearance at Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con presentation in 2019, wearing a Blade hat. The original films featured Snipes as the titular vampire hunter, with the first film released in 1998 followed by Blade II and Blade: Trinity in the early 2000s. The franchise had a significant cultural impact, and many fans anticipated the new vision for the character through Ali’s portrayal.
Despite the initial excitement, the reboot has faced numerous hurdles over the years. These included multiple delays in release dates, shifts in directors and writers, and a comprehensive redevelopment of the concept. Ultimately, the project was removed from Disney’s theatrical release calendar altogether, marking a notable setback within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
In his podcast appearance, Feige explained the intention behind the reboot’s concept, stating, “We didn’t want to simply just put a leather outfit on him and have him start killing vampires. It had to be unique.” He elaborated that during the development phase, Marvel began to adopt a philosophy of only moving forward with projects that were “insanely great,” adding, “It wasn’t ‘insanely great’ at the time.” The decision stemmed from a desire to do justice to both Ali and the beloved character rather than proceeding with a less-than-stellar script.
Ali, ever the enthusiastic supporter of the project, has expressed his eagerness to take on the role despite the delays. In an interview with Variety in June 2025, he conveyed his readiness to step into the character, stating, “Call Marvel. I’m ready. Let them know I’m ready.” His continued interest underlines the commitment both he and the Marvel team have towards bringing Blade back to the big screen.
Beyond discussions about Blade, Feige was promoting other upcoming Marvel projects, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set for release on July 31, as well as Avengers: Doomsday, expected to premiere on December 18, 2026. These projects demonstrate Marvel Studios’ ongoing ambition to expand its storytelling universe despite the hiccups experienced with Blade.
As the MCU continues to grow, fans remain hopeful that the Blade reboot will eventually see the light of day, allowing Ali to portray the iconic character in a manner that befits both the legacy of Snipes and the expectations of a new generation of comic book enthusiasts. Feige’s honesty about the challenges faced serves not only as a reflection of the creative process at Marvel but also illustrates the high standards maintained within the studio as it strives to deliver compelling narratives.