Kevin Feige Weighs in on “Trying to Crack” the New ‘Blade’ Movie, Says R-Rating Likely

As a new Blade film continues its long gestation process, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is offering a bit of insight into the company’s approach for the reboot.

Feige sat down with BlackTree TV to promote the July 26 release of Disney’s Deadpool & Wolverine. During the interview released Saturday, the film producer was asked about the ongoing development of a new Blade, which was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 with Mahershala Ali attached to star as the title half-vampire character.

The Marvel honcho was asked if Disney releasing Deadpool & Wolverine with an R-rating changes how the team can approach Blade, given that the previous movies — which starred Wesley Snipes and began with the original 1998 Blade — were all rated R. The new Deadpool film marks the first R-rated title from Marvel Studios.

“I think that’s right,” Feige replied. “I mean, for the last two years as we’ve been trying to crack that movie, the most important thing for us is not rushing it and making sure we are making the right Blade movie.”

He continued, “Because there were some great Blade movies years ago — they were all rated-R. So I think that’s, like Deadpool, inherent with the character of Blade.”

The new Blade made headlines last month with the news that director Yann Demange had exited the film. This followed the project having previously been set to head into production in fall of 2022 when filmmaker Bassam Tariq left over creative differences.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ali’s attorney, Shelby Weiser, discussed the drawn-out process to make the film. Said Weiser of Ali signing on for Blade: “That deal was in 2019, and they still haven’t shot it, which is pretty much the craziest thing in my professional experience.”