Disney has officially pulled Marvel Studios’ Blade from its planned US release date of November 7, 2025, opting to release Predator: Badlands on that date instead. This change comes after persistent challenges in the production of Blade, a reboot that has faced multiple delays since it was first announced back in 2019.
The highly anticipated Blade reboot, that’s long had Mahershala Ali attached to play the iconic vampire hunter, has struggled to find solid footing, with creative differences, the global pandemic, and industry strikes causing significant delays. The project has seen two directors exit: Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) and Yann Demange (’71), further delaying the start of production.
As per Marvel Studios, they remain committed to making the best possible version of Blade. President Kevin Feige has said that they won’t proceed until the script is exactly where they want it to be. “For the last few years, as we’ve been trying to crack that movie,” Feige said in a July interview with BlackTree TV. “The most important thing for us is not rushing it, and making sure we are making the right Blade movie.”
The project, which was originally revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, still has Ali on board to lead the film… for now. The actor’s lawyer, Shelby Weiser, shared her frustration in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back in June: “That deal was in 2019, and they still haven’t shot it, which is pretty much the craziest thing in my professional experience.”
Mia Goth is also still on board as the villain Lilith. The MaXXXine star told Deadline in July that those behind the project “really care, they do. They want to make a great movie. That’s the sense that I get from them and that feels good.”
In the meantime, Predator: Badlands is taking the vacated release slot on November 7, 2025. Director Dan Trachtenberg, who successfully revived the Predator franchise with 2022’s well-received Prey, is at the helm with Elle Fanning attached to star. Disney’s decision to take Badlands to the big screen marks a shift in strategy after sending Prey directly to streaming. With a combined global box office tally of over $US750 million across six films, Predator remains one of 20th Century Studios’ most enduring properties.
