Is Marvel Cancelling ‘Blade’ and ‘Armor Wars’? Insider Scoop Hints at an Imminent Decision

Marvel Studios has a wide range of projects in the works, including both rumored and confirmed ones. Some are fresh concepts, while others have been stuck in development for a long time—even before the SAG-AFTRA strike brought the industry to a standstill.

With fans eagerly anticipating the X-Men live-action reboot, new ‘Avengers’ films, and ‘Daredevil: Born Again,’ it’s easy to overlook the projects that have languished for years without a clear release date or significant updates.

Two of Marvel’s most problematic projects right now are the ‘Blade’ reboot, featuring Mahershala Ali in the title role, and ‘Armor Wars,’ a project that has shifted from a movie to a series and back to a movie over more than a decade of development.

Originally, ‘Armor Wars’ was conceived as a film based on the comic storyline of the same name, meant to follow ‘Secret Invasion’ (released last year) and ‘Ironheart’ (set for 2025). As early as 2011, Don Cheadle confirmed a War Machine film was in the works, with Joe Robert Cole hired to write the script.

Fast forward to 2020’s Disney Investor Day, ‘Armor Wars’ was announced as a Disney+ series with Don Cheadle returning as James Rhodes. In 2021, Cheadle indicated that production would begin soon, and later that year, Yassir Lester was brought on as head writer. But by September 2022, Marvel shifted gears again, turning the series back into a feature film while retaining both Cheadle and Lester. Filming was slated for early 2023 at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, but was postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike that affected the entire industry.

Some may argue that adapting ‘Armor Wars’ without Iron Man doesn’t make much sense, but that’s where things stand.

‘Blade’ is in a similarly uncertain position, though periodic updates offer some hope. Mahershala Ali, who originally pitched the project and was cast as Blade in 2018, has faced ongoing script problems and several changes in writers and directors. These setbacks have caused repeated delays, and while there’s still confidence the film will eventually see the light of day, its future remains unclear.

Ali’s attorney recently expressed frustration over how the film has been stuck in development for so long without ever starting production. Insider reports are mixed, with some suggesting that Ali himself is the source of the delays, while others point to subpar script quality as the main issue.

Regardless, the latest rumors surrounding these projects are concerning. Even though ‘Blade’ has a release date set for November 2025, it seems possible that the film may never actually be completed.

According to Daniel Richtman on his Patreon account, the current buzz within the studio indicates that the fate of both ‘Blade’ and ‘Armor Wars’ will be decided in the coming months. It’s a make-or-break moment for both films.

This could be positive news for ‘Blade,’ as fans are hopeful that, with the release of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ Wesley Snipes’ Blade might get his own Logan-style MCU film. If Ali’s ‘Blade’ is canceled, this idea seems more feasible.

On the other hand, if ‘Armor Wars’ is canceled, War Machine is unlikely to receive a similar alternative project, apart from a potential appearance in the upcoming ‘Vision’ series or another story involving the West Coast Avengers. Fans are aware of this, which is why a petition has been launched on Change.org to prevent the project’s cancellation. As of now, the petition has gathered 72 signatures.

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