Blade Filming Put on Pause Amid Writer Strike
Marvel Studios has halted production on Blade as reported by Hollywood Reporter. The pause comes in response to the ongoing writers strike, with insiders saying filming will resume once the industry-wide stoppage ends.
Details about the Blade storyline remain under wraps. The film had been slated for a September 6, 2024 release, but schedule changes are likely as negotiations unfold and production adapts to the labor actions influencing major studios.
Recent reporting linked the project to notable figures from the writer’s room. Nick Pizzolatto, known for creating True Detective, is associated with Blade as a screenwriter. Mahershala Ali, who previously collaborated with Pizzolatto on True Detective, is set to play the lead role. Jan Demange, recognized for his work on Lovecraft Country, is directing the movie.
The character Blade, created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan in 1973, first appeared in Dracula’s Tomb issue #10. The hunter of vampires exists in a rich mythos where his mission is closely tied to avenging his mother, who was slain by a vampire at his birth. In earlier years, Wesley Snipes portrayed Blade in a film trilogy released by a different studio, leaving a lasting impact on the character’s cinematic identity. [Source: Hollywood Reporter]
Beyond the Blade production notes, two American screenwriters entered a strike in early May. The walkout centers on demands for better contract terms and clearer governance around reworking scripts for streaming platforms. The broader context points to a surge in written content fueling streaming services, which heightens the stakes for authors seeking fair compensation and clear expectations. [Source: Hollywood Reporter]