What happens when a highly anticipated superhero film goes off the rails? Actor Delroy Lindo opens up about the chaos behind Marvel's 'Blade' reboot, which has Mahershala Ali attached on the lead role.
- Apr 21, 2025
AceShowbiz - Amid rumors that Marvel's "Blade" reboot was in jeopardy, cast member Delroy Lindo spoke to Entertainment Weekly to share his insights into the development of the project. According to Lindo, the film which starring Mahershala Ali "just went off the rails."
"When Marvel came to me, they seemed to be really interested in my input. And in the various conversations I had with producers, the writer, the director at the time, it was all leading into being very inclusive," he said.
"It was really exciting conceptually, but it was also exciting in terms of the character that was going to form," the actor continued. "And then, for whatever reason, it just went off the rails."
Lindo was originally cast in the film back in 2021. He described his role as a "Marcus Garvey-esque" character. "He was a character who had, very similar to Sinners, created a community, a Black community," Lindo explained further. "He was a character who was the head of this community."
Bassim Tariq, Yann Demange, "True Detective" creator Nic Pizzolatto, and "Logan" writer Michael Green were among the many creatives attached to the film over its development period, but none could anchor the project effectively. The delays eventually led Marvel to pull Blade from its 2025 release schedule.
The original "Blade" actor, Wesley Snipes, echoed some of Lindo's disappointments, though he clarified that the project's problems were not Ali's fault. "There's a lot more that goes on with pulling this 'Blade' stuff off," he said. "Ali has all my blessings and support."
Despite the turmoil, Marvel head Kevin Feige remained optimistic, expressing commitment to Ali's portrayal of Blade. "I can tell you that the character will be coming to the MCU," Feige affirmed.
As for Lindo, this isn't his first Marvel project to be derailed. He was previously cast in the "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." spin-off "Marvel's Most Wanted", which also faced behind-the-scenes challenges and was ultimately shelved.
While the fate of the Blade reboot remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the journey to bring Marvel's vampire slayer back to the big screen has been anything but smooth.
