Aaron Pierre's MCU Exit: How Blade Lost Its John Stewart and DC Won

Actor Aaron Pierre opens up about being dropped from Marvel's long-delayed Blade movie due to constant creative changes, and how he quickly found his new superhero home as DCU's iconic Green Lantern John Stewart.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop

• Aaron Pierre was cast in Marvel's Blade in February 2022 but confirmed his departure in March 2024 because the project took a "different creative direction."
• The Blade movie has been stuck in "development hell" since its 2019 announcement, cycling through directors, writers, and numerous delays, leading to its removal from the theatrical schedule.
• Pierre has since landed a major DCU role as Green Lantern John Stewart in HBO's upcoming series Lanterns, which is expected to premiere in early 2026.

From Daywalker's World to the Green Lantern Corps: Aaron Pierre's Journey

Sometimes, when one door closes, a much bigger, brighter door (perhaps one powered by a green ring?) opens. That's certainly been the case for rising star Aaron Pierre. You might know him from Netflix's hit Rebel Ridge or as the voice of young Mufasa in the recent Disney prequel. But before he was set to protect the DC Universe as John Stewart, he was actually tapped for a role in Marvel's much-anticipated, but seriously troubled, Blade reboot.

Pierre's journey with Marvel was brief, stretching from his casting in early 2022 to his quiet departure in early 2024. Now, he's reflecting on that experience, shedding some light on the turbulent path Marvel's Daywalker movie has taken, and sharing his excitement for donning the green power ring.

Unpacking Blade's Rocky Path to the Big Screen: A Troubled Production

Let's be real: Marvel's Blade movie has had a rough go of it. Announced with huge fanfare at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali confirmed as the titular vampire hunter, fans were hyped. Fast forward to now, and it's become what some are calling Marvel Studios' most "troubled production."

Since that initial announcement, the film has bounced between different directors, seen multiple writers take a crack at the script (including names like Beau DeMayo, Nic Pizzolatto, and Eric Pearson), and shuffled its release date more times than we can count. We're talking original targets like November 2023, then September 2024, February 2025, and November 2025 – before finally being pulled from the theatrical schedule entirely. Talk about a roller coaster!

One of the biggest shifts involved the film's setting. Early on, there were talks of a period piece, possibly set in the 1920s. But then, creative gears shifted, and the story moved to a contemporary setting. These kinds of fundamental changes often mean character roles get rewritten, or even cut, to fit the new vision. This continuous evolution has led to a few actors, like Pierre and fellow star Delroy Lindo, having to step away from the project.

Aaron Pierre Speaks Out: "It Just Took a Different Creative Direction"

For Aaron Pierre, being cast in a Marvel movie was, understandably, a huge deal. He was brought into the Blade fold in February 2022, shortly before he began filming Netflix's critically acclaimed action-thriller Rebel Ridge. He stayed attached to the project for about two years before confirming in March 2024 that he was no longer involved.

"I remember being cast in Blade and feeling elated. But something I learned during that time was that until you step foot on the set, you haven’t commenced work. It just took a different creative direction, and I was no longer a part of it. You have to accept that."

– Aaron Pierre, reflecting on his Blade exit in Men's Health

While he couldn't dive into specifics about his role or why his character was ultimately cut, Pierre's comments highlight a common reality in big studio productions: things change. Scripts evolve, visions shift, and sometimes, even when an actor is excited and ready to go, the timing just doesn't line up. It's a tough lesson, but one Pierre clearly took in stride, demonstrating a professional acceptance of the industry's unpredictable nature.

From Potential Daywalker to Green Lantern: Pierre's New Heroic Chapter Begins

But fear not, superhero fans! Aaron Pierre's superhero dreams weren't dashed for long. Soon after his departure from the MCU's Blade, he landed a colossal role in James Gunn's new DC Universe: Green Lantern John Stewart. This is a massive win for DC fans and a testament to Pierre's rising talent.

He's set to star in HBO's highly anticipated series Lanterns, where he'll be joined by Kyle Chandler, who plays the veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan. The show is being described as a "buddy cop and a superhero show," promising a dynamic pairing as these two Lanterns navigate cosmic threats and their own relationship.

Showrunner Chris Mundy has even hinted that the series will explore themes of "replacement," suggesting that John Stewart might very well take the reins as the primary Green Lantern moving forward. Mundy shared, "Our show is in a lot of ways about replacement—when should someone step aside and when is it time for the next person to take the reins? That push and pull between those two characters is really important." This setup positions Pierre's John Stewart as a central figure in the future of the DCU, a role that could be even bigger than whatever he might have done in Blade.

So, when can you expect to see Pierre in action as John Stewart? Lanterns is slated to premiere in early 2026 on HBO/HBO Max (US), making it one of the early and crucial projects in the new DCU lineup.

Beyond Superheroes: Aaron Pierre's Impressive Rise in Hollywood

While his superhero future looks incredibly bright, Aaron Pierre has been building an impressive resume across various genres. His performance in Rebel Ridge, which debuted on Netflix in September 2024 and quickly became a hit, showcased his range and action chops. He also lent his voice to the regal Mufasa in the 2024 film Mufasa: The Lion King, further cementing his versatility.

Looking ahead, Pierre is also set to appear in the highly anticipated Star Wars: Starfighter, which is currently scheduled for release in May 2027. This consistent stream of high-profile projects underscores that even with the unpredictable nature of Hollywood productions, talent like Pierre's inevitably finds its spotlight.

What's Next for Marvel's Elusive Blade Movie?

As for Marvel's Blade, the future remains hazy. With the film removed from the official release slate and no clear production timeline, it's anyone's guess when we'll actually see Mahershala Ali's Daywalker on screen. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige himself acknowledged the project's struggles, stating that they pulled back to "only accept insanely great," and at the time, Blade "wasn’t ‘insanely great’."

Currently, Mahershala Ali is still attached to star, and Mia Goth is reportedly on board as the villain Lilith. However, until Marvel Studios provides a concrete update, fans will have to wait patiently. It seems the hunt for a perfect script and a smooth production for Blade continues, possibly delaying its release until 2028 or even later, as Marvel focuses on other major projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.

In the meantime, Aaron Pierre's transition from a hopeful MCU actor to a confirmed DCU star serves as a powerful reminder that in the ever-evolving world of superhero cinema, there are always new heroes waiting to rise.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aaron Pierre and His Superhero Roles When is the DCU series Lanterns coming out?

The HBO series Lanterns, starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, is slated to premiere in early 2026 on HBO/HBO Max in the US.

Who is playing Green Lantern John Stewart in the DCU?

Actor Aaron Pierre, known for his roles in Rebel Ridge and Mufasa: The Lion King, has been cast as the fan-favorite Green Lantern John Stewart in James Gunn's new DC Universe.

Is Marvel's Blade movie still happening, and who is in it?

Yes, Marvel's Blade movie is still in development, though it has faced numerous delays and is currently removed from the theatrical release schedule. Mahershala Ali remains attached to play Blade, and Mia Goth is reportedly cast as the villain Lilith. The creative team and release date are still uncertain.

Why did Aaron Pierre leave Marvel's Blade movie?

Aaron Pierre stated he left Blade because the project took a "different creative direction." Due to constant script rewrites and changes in the film's setting (from a period piece to contemporary), his character was ultimately no longer part of the updated story.

Sources

• MovieWeb - "Lanterns star Aaron Pierre has reflected on being dropped from the Marvel Cinematic Universe's long-in-development Blade movie."
• ScreenRant - "The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen its Blade movie suffer a series of delays, which have led to actors departing the project, and a DC star who was previously attached to the film has now opened up."
• FandomWire - "Before joining the DCU as John Stewart in HBO’s Lanterns, Aaron Pierre was cast in the MCU’s Blade, starring Mahershala Ali."
• ComicBookMovie.com - "Aaron Pierre Reflects On Being Dropped From Blade; New Details On Lanterns' Hal Jordan/John Stewart Dynamic."
• ComingSoon.net - "DC’s Green Lantern Actor Explains His Blade Movie Exit."