Blade Is Reportedly Set for a Major Role in Marvel’s ‘Midnight Sons’ as His Solo Film Fades Into the Dark

Few projects in recent Marvel history have generated as much anticipation, frustration, and genuine mystique as the long-gestating ‘Blade‘ reboot. When Marvel Studios announced the film at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019 with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali attached to star, it felt like a thunderclap moment for the MCU. The promise of a darker, horror-inflected corner of the universe, led by one of Hollywood’s most commanding actors, had fans immediately invested in what felt like a sure thing.

Behind the scenes, the road proved anything but smooth. Production was delayed multiple times, beginning with the departure of original director Bassam Tariq in 2022. At least five different writers took a turn on the script after the original scribe parted ways with the project, with Marvel Studios veteran Eric Pearson most recently penning a draft.

Without a director since Yann Demange bailed in June 2024, there was simply no way ‘Blade’ was making it in front of cameras, and it was ultimately removed from the studio’s 2025 theatrical slate. Through all of it, Ali remained publicly committed, delivering one of the more memorable red-carpet moments of last summer when he told Variety at the New York premiere of ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ “Call Marvel. I’m ready. Let them know I’m ready.”

Now, according to insider DanielRPK, the Daywalker is reportedly set for a significant presence in the ‘Midnight Sons’ movie, suggesting Marvel has found a new home for the character even if his solo spotlight has dimmed. Trusted industry insider Jeff Sneider corroborated this shift, stating on The Hot Mic podcast that the solo ‘Blade’ reboot is now “dead” and that the plan is for Ali to make his MCU debut as the character in the ‘Midnight Sons’ movie instead. Sneider was blunt about the path forward: “He will not be introduced in a solo movie. He’ll be introduced in Midnight Sons.”

In Marvel Comics lore, the Midnight Sons serve as the franchise’s darker counterpoint to the Avengers, a group built around supernatural heroes tasked with confronting mystical and occult threats. Blade is a core member of the team, a supernatural-focused ensemble introduced in the early 1990s that brings together characters who deal with vampires, demons, and occult threats. As a half-vampire with extensive combat experience, Blade frequently serves as the group’s frontline fighter and specialist against undead enemies, appearing in multiple Midnight Sons comic storylines alongside characters such as Ghost Rider, Morbius, and Doctor Strange.

Marvel has already introduced characters like Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night into the MCU, which means the groundwork for a potential supernatural crossover is already in place. Worth noting is that if ‘Blade’ and a ‘Midnight Sons’ film ever do materialise, it will happen after the release of ‘Secret Wars’ in 2027, meaning audiences could be waiting close to a decade from the original announcement before Ali steps into the role on screen.

Despite the chaos, Kevin Feige has maintained that Ali’s version of the character will reach audiences eventually. Speaking to journalists at Marvel Studios, Feige explained that the prolonged delays were a symptom of Marvel’s “over-expansion” and confirmed the studio did not feel confident that they could fix the script problems during production, adding, “We didn’t want to do that to Mahershala.”

Whether a ‘Midnight Sons’ ensemble gives the Daywalker the grand entrance he deserves or simply sidelines him in a crowded supernatural team-up remains to be seen, and that question alone is worth debating.