David S. Goyer, well-known for his work on superhero films, recently offered to assist Marvel Studios with its much-delayed Blade reboot, a project that has struggled to move forward since Mahershala Ali was announced as the lead in San Diego. The studio, however, declined his offer, asserting confidence in their current direction for the David S. Goyer Marvel Blade reboot.
Delays Continue for the Blade Project
Back in 2019, Mahershala Ali took the stage at Comic-Con in San Diego, wearing a Blade hat and sharing the news with excited fans that he would take on the role of the Daywalker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since then, Blade has experienced frequent creative overhauls, lost cast members, and seen constructed sets for sequences like an action scene on a train, only to stall repeatedly. Since those plans were announced, Blade has remained in limbo, and there is growing skepticism about whether the film will ever reach theaters.
Goyer’s Background and Offer to Marvel Studios
David S. Goyer, recognized for his work on Batman Begins and his earlier contributions to Blade and Blade II, is remembered fondly among fans for those first two Blade installments. Though he wrote and directed the less successful Blade: Trinity, many admire his deeper connection with the character.
According to Goyer, he received encouragement from fans and acquaintances to get involved with the reboot.
“It’s so funny, about eight months ago — when, not the latest hiccup hit, but like the prior hiccup — I had so many people that would say to me, ‘Dude, would you get in there on ‘Blade?” Would you just get in there?,’ whether it be friends or fans or people on social media,”
—David S. Goyer, Writer/Director. Motivated by this feedback, he reached out through his agent.
“And I wasn’t even really thinking about it, but then I had my agent call Marvel and say, ‘Do you guys need any help?’ And they said, ‘We love you, but we think we’ve cracked it now, and we’re in a good place,’”
—David S. Goyer, Writer/Director. Despite Marvel Studios’ assurance that they had resolved the project’s issues, Goyer noted that progress remains slow, adding,
“And then the latest thing happened. And so no, they haven’t contacted me.”
—David S. Goyer, Writer/Director.
Goyer’s Perspective on Returning to Blade
Although Goyer lacks direct insight into the studio’s internal challenges, he made it clear that he is willing to be approached for help if Marvel Studios’ president Kevin Feige or others reconsider. Reflecting on the franchise and his career, Goyer said,
“I might consider it because I love the character, and it sort of started my superhero career,”
—David S. Goyer, Writer/Director. He also emphasized his roots with Marvel, stating,
“Even though I’m now considered a DC guy, I started as a Marvel guy. I would consider it, it would be fun to return to that world. That being said, I’m pretty much otherwise 99% done with superheroes. I love this stuff. I watch all the movies, but I’ve just done so much in the world. But yeah, I would consider it, just for old time’s sake.”
—David S. Goyer, Writer/Director.
Outlook for Blade and Future Involvement
Eight months after Goyer’s offer, Marvel Studios appears no closer to launching Blade, fueling speculation that the character’s cinematic return may occur outside a solo film—potentially as part of a possible Midnight Sons storyline. The decision to pass on Goyer could signal a desire for a fresh creative approach, rather than revisiting previous takes. While his contribution to The Dark Knight Trilogy with Christopher Nolan is widely respected, some recall the less favorable reception of Blade: Trinity, complicating Goyer’s suitability for the project.
The ongoing uncertainty reflects Marvel Studios’ struggle to bring Mahershala Ali’s Blade to the screen despite fan enthusiasm and industry experience available to them. Whether Marvel’s answer pays off or leads to further delays will become clear as the studio continues its search for the right vision for the Daywalker’s return.
