Kevin Feige has spoken candidly about Marvel Studios’ inability to move forward with its long-delayed Blade reboot starring Mahershala Ali.

During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Marvel Studios president reflected on the contrasting emotions surrounding the vampire hunter’s future on screen.

Feige said he was thrilled that Wesley Snipes returned as Blade in Deadpool & Wolverine, but admitted that Marvel’s failure to launch Ali’s version remains a major disappointment.

“I’m feeling very excited that we got Wesley back for a time in Deadpool & Wolverine, and like a gigantic loser and failure that we didn’t get off the ground with Mahershala,” Feige said.

Marvel announced Ali as the MCU’s new Blade during San Diego Comic-Con in 2019. The project later experienced repeated delays, script changes and the departures of multiple directors.

Bassam Tariq left the film in 2022, while Yann Demange departed in 2024. The movie also moved through several planned release dates before eventually being removed from Disney’s theatrical calendar.

Ali has repeatedly indicated that he remains interested in playing the character, but the project has yet to receive a new release date or begin principal photography.

Feige’s comments do not necessarily confirm that Blade has been permanently cancelled. Instead, they acknowledge that Marvel was unable to get the announced version of the film into production despite years of development.

Wesley Snipes originally portrayed the vampire hunter in Blade, Blade II and Blade: Trinity. He unexpectedly returned to the role in Deadpool & Wolverine, appearing alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.

For now, Mahershala Ali’s Blade remains without an announced director, production schedule or theatrical release date.