The Daywalker’s New Blood: Everything We Know About The Troubled MCU Blade Cast And Production (December 2025)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) reboot of Blade, starring two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, has become one of the most talked-about and troubled productions in Marvel Studios history. As of December 2025, the film has been removed from the official release calendar, cycled through multiple directors, and seen key cast members depart, leaving fans eager for a definitive update on the Daywalker's return to the big screen. The core of the project now rests on the shoulders of Ali and a single, highly-praised actress who remains attached.

The film, which was originally announced back at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, is intended to be a darker, bloodier entry into the MCU, introducing the vampire hunter Eric Brooks, also known as Blade, into the sprawling Phase Five narrative. Despite the setbacks, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige remains confident in the project, which is now being steered by a new writer known for his work on Thor: Ragnarok.

The Confirmed Cast: Profiles of the Remaining Daywalker & His Potential Foe

Following a tumultuous period of script rewrites and directorial exits, the confirmed cast for the Blade reboot has been streamlined to just two major names. This section provides a detailed look at the actors who are still attached to the long-awaited project.

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Mahershala Ali (Blade / Eric Brooks)

Mahershala Ali is a powerhouse of modern cinema, bringing an unparalleled level of prestige to the role of Eric Brooks, the half-vampire Daywalker. His casting was one of the most celebrated announcements in recent MCU history, and he has remained the steadfast anchor of the project despite all the production woes.

• Full Name: Mahershalalhashbaz Ali Gilmore
• Born: February 16, 1974 (Oakland, California, USA)
• Notable Awards: Two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (for Moonlight and Green Book), a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
• Key Filmography:
  • Film: Moonlight (2016), Green Book (2018), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Alita: Battle Angel (2019).
  • Television: House of Cards (as Remy Danton), Luke Cage (as Cottonmouth), True Detective (Season 3).
• MCU Connection: Ali previously voiced the character in a post-credit scene for Eternals (2021), marking his official, albeit off-screen, introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Ali's commitment to the role of the vampire hunter is seen as a key reason the project has not been canceled. His involvement suggests Marvel is aiming for a mature, character-driven story that honors the legacy of the original Blade films while integrating the character into the larger MCU framework.

Mia Goth (Role Unconfirmed, Rumored to be Lillith)

Mia Goth is the second major actor confirmed to be in the cast and has been one of the few sources of recent, positive updates on the film’s status. Known for her intense and often disturbing roles in psychological horror and auteur cinema, Goth’s presence signals a darker tone for the MCU reboot.

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• Full Name: Mia Gypsy Mello da Silva Goth
• Born: October 25, 1993 (London, England)
• Notable Recognition: Praised for her work in the horror genre, particularly in films directed by Ti West.
• Key Filmography:
  • Horror/Thriller: X (2022), Pearl (2022), Infinity Pool (2023), A Cure For Wellness (2016).
  • Drama: Nymphomaniac Vol. II (2013), Suspiria (2018), Emma. (2020).
• Potential Role: Goth is widely rumored to be playing the villain Lillith, the Daughter of Dracula. This would align perfectly with her established expertise in portraying complex, unsettling characters.

Goth has publicly defended the production delays, stating that the project is "in good hands" and that the extensive time being taken is due to a commitment to quality. Her faith in the film suggests that the new script is proving strong enough to keep her attached, even as others have moved on.

The Troubled Production History: Directors, Writers, and Departures

The journey of the Blade reboot from announcement to its current status has been anything but smooth. The film’s numerous delays have been attributed to a constant search for the right script and creative vision, leading to a significant shake-up in both the production team and the supporting cast.

The Exits of Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre

A major and recent update to the Blade cast list is the departure of two highly respected actors, Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre.

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• Delroy Lindo: Known for his roles in Da 5 Bloods and The Good Fight, Lindo was expected to play a major supporting role, possibly Blade’s mentor or a character named Jamal Afari. His exit, along with Pierre’s, is largely attributed to the continuous scheduling conflicts caused by the film's indefinite delays.
• Aaron Pierre: A rising star from projects like Krypton and The Underground Railroad, Pierre was cast in an undisclosed but significant role. He has since confirmed his departure, noting that he had to accept the project had "gone off the rails" and move on to other commitments.

These departures underscore the severity of the production issues, forcing Marvel to recast and restructure the supporting cast around Mahershala Ali and Mia Goth.

The Search for a Director and the New Writer

The director's chair has been a revolving door for the Blade project:

• Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) was the first director to exit the project in 2022 due to creative differences.
• Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country) was brought on as the replacement, but reports from mid-2024 confirmed that he, too, had stepped away from the film.

The most crucial recent update, however, is the hiring of a new, high-profile writer: Eric Pearson.

Pearson is a trusted name within the MCU, having penned the critically acclaimed Thor: Ragnarok and Black Widow, as well as co-writing Godzilla vs. Kong. His involvement, reportedly joining the project in the summer of 2024, signals a massive push by Marvel Studios to finally nail the script and provide a stable foundation for the film to move into principal photography. The hope is that Pearson's experience with balancing action, humor, and complex character dynamics in the MCU will finally get the vampire hunter's story on track.

What’s Next for Blade: Release Date and Storyline Rumors

While the film was removed from the official Marvel release calendar in late 2024, some reports still tentatively list a November 7, 2025 date. This date, however, is highly speculative given the ongoing directorial search and the need for a complete script to be locked down. [cite: 8, 10 in previous search]

The primary intention behind the film is to introduce the supernatural side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, setting the stage for future Midnight Sons or other horror-themed projects. The film is rumored to feature a darker, possibly R-rated tone, a departure from the majority of the MCU's family-friendly offerings.

The narrative is rumored to involve Blade on a mission to hunt down the villain Lillith, a demonic entity and mother of all vampires. Other rumors suggest the film might be a period piece, or perhaps tie directly into the aftermath of Thanos’ snap, which could have allowed a surge of supernatural entities to enter the world. [cite: 1, 4 in previous search]

For now, the focus remains on Mahershala Ali and Mia Goth, the two remaining stars who are set to define the next era of the Daywalker. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement of a new director and a firm production start date, which would finally signal the end of the long, troubled wait for the new Blade.