BLADE Director Confirms Film will be Rated R

Marvel Studios long gestating Blade movie has received a small new update from director Yann Demange which should excite fans of the vampire-hunting character.

Whilst in conversation with Deadline for his short film Dammi, the director was asked about development on his Marvel Studios debut. It’s been well documented that the film has gone through several iterations of its script including drafts by Michael Starrbury and Nic Pizzolatto. Writing was held up due to the WGA strikes but work now continues.

One concern fans have noted is whether the film will stick to the heavy subject matter of the comics. Marvel has been known to stray away from R rated material, though that will change in 2024 with the release of Deadpool 3.

“They gave me the R, which is so important,” Demange stated when asked about the rating. “I come out of this wanting to be more open, more vulnerable and bring a more personal aspect to my work. But for Blade, we are going to have fun because Mahershala is such a deep actor. I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that. He’s got a dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.”

First announced at San Diego Comic Con 2019, Mahershala Ali remains attached to star in the film which was originally due to release on November 3, 2023. Currently the film is slated to release sometime in 2024.