Bassam Tariq has stepped down as director of Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade’ Variety confirmed.
Tariq’s departure comes as a shock, as production was set to begin in November on Marvel’s next feature film about the comic book’s iconic vampire slayer. The film is set to star Mahershala Ali in the title role, alongside a cast that includes Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre.
Although he will no longer be directing “Blade”, sources familiar with the matter say that Tariq will remain attached to the project as an executive producer.
The filmmaker was first confirmed to direct “Blade” in the summer of 2021. He previously helmed 2020 rap drama “Mogul Mowgli,” starring Riz Ahmed.
“It was an honor to work with the amazing people at Marvel. We were able to assemble a killer cast and crew. Can’t wait to see where the next director takes the movie,” Tariq said in a statement, confirming his release as as a director.
It remains unclear how Tariq’s departure might impact the production schedule for “Blade,” which is slated for release November 3, 2023. Given the carefully planned timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which sees With events in various movies and TV series impacting the storylines of subsequent entries, a substantial delay for “Blade” could potentially reshape Marvel Studios’ massive slate of content in unforeseen ways.
Tariq isn’t the first director to release a Marvel Studios movie that has already completed a substantial pre-production schedule. ‘Doctor Strange’ director Scott Derrickson stepped down as director of his sequel, ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, four months before filming. Sam Raimi then took over the project.
Additionally, Jon Watts, who helmed all three MCU “Spider-Man” entries at Sony, stepped down as director of Disney’s upcoming “Fantastic Four” reboot over the summer, though that project is considering a release date much further from November 8. 2024.
“Blade” has been on the horizon for quite some time now. The project was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, with Ali making a surprise appearance at the end of Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation. The arrival was met with a thunderous response from fans, both in person and online.
Ali has since made his MCU debut in the role – sort of. The actor’s voice can be heard in a post-credits scene from 2021’s “Eternals,” which features the vampire slayer talking to Kit Harington’s character, Dane Whitman.
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report news of Tariq’s directorial exit.