Mahershala Ali’s role as Blade has been in development for a prolonged period, but recent news offers hope for fans eagerly anticipating the film. David Goyer, the writer of the earlier Blade trilogy, shared with Variety that Marvel’s representatives reassured him they have resolved key issues for the project’s progress. This indicates that Kevin Feige and his team may now have a clearer plan for integrating Blade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s narrative phases. Ali remains committed to the role, telling reporters at the New York premiere of Jurassic World, “let them know I’m ready.”
The cast announced for Blade includes Mahershala Ali, Delroy Lindo, and Aaron Pierre. While the presence of Wesley Snipes’ Blade has been referenced in a way that may invite comparisons, the new adaptation is poised to establish its own identity within the superhero landscape. Despite the slow pace and absence of recent updates on related films like Sovereign and Solitary, Ali is steadily moving forward with several projects on his schedule.
Reprising the Role of Aaron Davis in ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’
Scheduled for release in 2027, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse continues the story of Miles Morales navigating the multiverse to protect his family. Following the events of Across the Spider-Verse, Miles is captured by the Spider Society after learning about “Canon Events,” critical moments that every Spider-Man must endure to sustain the multiverse’s stability, such as the death of Uncle Ben.
Mahershala Ali will return as Aaron Davis, also known as The Prowler, the uncle of Miles Morales. The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld portraying Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis, and Nicolas Cage voicing Spider-Noir. The film was initially set for a 2024 release but faced delays due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
With the production now back on track, this installment is expected to strengthen the reputation of the Spider-Verse series as one of the most critically acclaimed superhero trilogies to date. Ali’s continued involvement alongside a notable cast ensures the movie will maintain its engaging and immersive storytelling style.
Mahershala Ali’s Role in the Animated Fantasy ‘Wildwood’
Wildwood, anticipated in 2026, adapts Colin Meloy’s 2011 novel about Prue McKeel and Curtis Mehlberg venturing into a magical forest to rescue Prue’s kidnapped baby brother from a dangerous gang led by a woman named Alexandra. Mahershala Ali will voice the character Brenden in this animated feature, joining other stars such as Awkwafina and Angela Bassett.
The novel, a New York Times best-seller and recipient of the 2012 E. B. White Read Aloud Award, offers a richly detailed fantasy world. Condensing this 541-page book into an animated film presents a significant creative challenge, but Ali’s strong acting track record inspires confidence in his performance. Directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler, Wildwood is positioned as a major fantasy release for 2026, marking Ali’s first foray into this genre.
Anticipated Action Drama: ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother’
Details about the plot of Mahershala Ali’s upcoming action film, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, remain under wraps. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, the movie’s cast also includes Giancarlo Esposito, John Cho, Tiffany Boone, and others. Character roles have not been publicly disclosed.
With a commanding cast and direction by Bassam Tariq, known for his critically acclaimed debut, Mogul Mowgli, this film promises to present a thoughtful and emotionally resonant approach to the action genre. Ali’s performances are often characterized by depth and subtlety, though this project may allow him to explore a more direct, hands-on role similar to his work in Jurassic World. Given Tariq’s past success and distinctive style, the film has potential to resonate with audiences seeking more meaningful action movies.
Possible Voice Work in the ‘Marvel Zombies’ Animated Series
Set for 2025, Marvel Zombies takes place in an alternate timeline inspired by the “What If… Zombies?!” episode from the MCU’s animated What If…? series. The story follows a group of survivors confronting heroes and villains who have become zombies. Though unconfirmed, reports suggest that Mahershala Ali might have lent his voice to characters such as Moon Knight and Blade for this series.
The cast includes David Harbour as Red Guardian, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Elizabeth Olsen as Zombie Wanda Maximoff, and Randall Park as Jimmy Woo. If Ali’s involvement is genuine, it may be part of Marvel’s strategy to prioritize the upcoming live-action Blade film before revealing the animated portrayal. Fans will have to wait patiently, hopeful that Marvel Zombies will become a standout entry in the zombie and superhero genres.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Mahershala Ali actually play piano?
A. The first person is Don Shirley. He gained fame during the 1950s and 60s, performing live and making records. Mahershala Ali is the second person. He plays Shirley in a movie, but he doesn’t actually play the piano. Kris Bowers is the third person. He performs all the piano pieces for Ali in the movie.
