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Marvel Reaffirms Mahershala Ali for Blade as Animated Variant Debuts Without Him

A tighter Marvel release plan under Bob Iger has left the project off the calendar as the studio emphasizes quality control.

Overview

  • Executives Bryan Andrews and Brad Winderbaum said Ali did not voice Blade in Marvel Zombies due to timing, noting they would have welcomed his involvement.
  • Disney removed Blade from its schedule in late 2024, and Deadline reports the Nov. 7, 2025 date now belongs to 20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands.
  • Kevin Feige has reiterated that Ali remains attached and that a modern-day take was selected after multiple iterations were developed.
  • Marvel Zombies premiered on Disney+ on Sept. 24, 2025 as the studio’s first TV‑MA animated series, featuring Todd Williams as a Multiversal Blade variant.
  • Open MCU release dates remain through 2028, leaving room for Blade to be rescheduled even though it currently lacks a set debut.