Mia Goth Says Blade Delays Are 'For the Best' for MCU Film

The long-awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe Blade movie has been a hot topic for years, but Mia Goth, cast as a pivotal villain, just offered a fresh perspective, confirming her continued involvement and hinting that all the waiting might actually be a good thing!

TL;DR: The Quick Hits on Blade's Latest Update

• Mia Goth officially confirms she's still attached to Marvel's Blade movie, where she's rumored to play the vampiric villain Lilith.
• Despite years of creative turmoil and multiple delays, Goth believes the extra time is "for the best" because Marvel "wants to do it right."
• The film, starring Mahershala Ali, has shifted its setting to the present day, is expected to be R-rated, and is still actively in development.

Still Slaying: Mia Goth Confirms Her Place in the Blade Cast

Alright, Marvel fans, let's talk about Blade. It feels like we’ve been waiting an eternity for the Daywalker to finally make his big-screen MCU debut, and the journey has been anything but smooth. But there’s a new glimmer of hope, straight from one of its key players: Mia Goth.

In a recent chat with Elle Magazine, Goth, who's been making waves with her roles in films like MaXXXine and Infinity Pool, confirmed what many were wondering: she's still very much attached to the project! This is huge, especially considering how many moving pieces have shifted around this film over the years.

For those keeping track, Goth was cast back in April 2023. While Marvel hasn't officially spilled the beans on her character, it's widely believed (thanks to reports from outlets like Deadline and IGN) that she'll be stepping into the fangs of Lilith. Who's Lilith, you ask? She's a recurring Marvel character, often depicted as the daughter of Dracula, and in an earlier script version, she was apparently trying to get her hands on Blade's daughter's blood. Sounds like a proper vampiric showdown!

And here’s the kicker – Goth isn't just sticking around; she's optimistic about the whole thing. She echoed sentiments she'd shared before, suggesting that these prolonged delays aren't a sign of trouble, but rather a commitment to quality. We totally get the skepticism, but her confidence is a welcome sound!

"It's for the best that it's taken the time that it has. They want to do it right."

— Mia Goth, speaking to Elle Magazine about the Blade delays

The Long and Winding Road to Bring Blade to the Big Screen

Let's be real: the road to this Blade movie has been legendary for all the wrong reasons. The project was first announced with much fanfare at San Diego Comic-Con way back in July 2019 by none other than Kevin Feige himself, with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali set to star as the titular vampire hunter. That's a solid six years ago!

Since then, it's been a bit of a creative merry-go-round. The film has cycled through no less than six writers, including Michael Green, Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Michael Starrbury, Beau DeMayo, Nic Pizzolatto (who reportedly left last year), and now Eric Pearson, known for his work on Thor: Ragnarok. That’s a lot of different visions!

Directors have also been a revolving door. Bassam Tariq was attached before dropping out in 2022 due to creative differences. Yann Demange followed suit, bailing in 2024. There were even rumors that Cary Fukunaga was in talks but walked away over creative control. The 2023 Hollywood strikes definitely didn't help, piling on even more delays.

It’s no wonder Mahershala Ali himself was reportedly "increasingly frustrated" at one point. Imagine being an Oscar-winning actor, ready to embody an iconic character, and waiting half a decade for the green light. He even humorously told Variety to "Call Marvel. I'm ready." That perfectly captures the mood of many fans!

Adding to the list of creative casualties, actors Aaron Pierre and Delroy Lindo, who were previously cast, are no longer attached to the film. Lindo even spoke about how things "went off the rails" after an initial forward momentum. This shows just how much retooling and rethinking has gone into this movie.

From Period Piece to Present Day: Unpacking Blade's Evolving Story

One of the biggest shifts in Blade’s development has been its setting. You might remember early reports (and even some manufactured wardrobe for supporting artists that got sold off!) suggested a 1920s period piece. That concept, as Kevin Feige later confirmed, was eventually scrapped. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige recently stated that they've "landed on modern day."

This change is significant. A 1920s setting would have given Blade a unique historical flavor, perhaps leaning into gothic horror. Moving to the present day allows for a more direct integration into the existing MCU, making it easier for Blade to eventually team up (or clash!) with other contemporary heroes and villains. Feige openly discussed the "three or four" script incarnations, acknowledging the difficulty in "cracking" the story correctly. He stressed that they didn't want to rush a script they weren't confident in, especially for Mahershala Ali.

Good news for fans of the original films: Feige has also confirmed that the MCU Blade movie is still intended to be R-rated! This is a massive win for the character, whose dark, violent nature is inherent to his appeal. Much like the success seen with Deadpool, an R-rating allows the filmmakers to truly embrace the horror and grittiness that defines the Daywalker, without having to pull punches to fit a PG-13 mold. This commitment to the character’s roots is a strong signal that Marvel is indeed trying to "do it right."

While an official budget hasn’t been locked down, reports suggest it’s hovering around $80 million, which is a fairly lean budget for an MCU film, especially given the VFX demands of a vampire hunter flick. This could suggest a more focused, character-driven story, perhaps less reliant on massive spectacle and more on tension and visceral action – something fans of the original Blade trilogy would appreciate.

Why These Persistent Delays Might Actually Forge a Better Blade Movie

It's natural to feel impatient when a movie you're excited about gets delayed, especially one announced six years ago. But Mia Goth's perspective, supported by Kevin Feige's statements, offers a compelling argument: sometimes, waiting is precisely what's needed for a truly great film. "They want to do it right," Goth emphasized, and Feige has reiterated that the "most important thing for us is not rushing it."

In an era where the MCU has faced criticism for rapidly expanding its content slate, leading to some projects feeling less polished, Marvel's stated shift towards "fewer, higher-quality productions" makes sense. Blade seems to be a prime example of this new philosophy in action. Rather than pushing out a mediocre script or a rushed production, they're taking the time to ensure Mahershala Ali's portrayal lives up to expectations and the character's legacy.

The original Blade trilogy, starring Wesley Snipes, was groundbreaking for its time and essentially paved the way for modern superhero films long before the MCU existed. Living up to that legacy, while also integrating a dark, R-rated character into a largely family-friendly universe, is a monumental task. The extensive rewrites and director changes, though frustrating, highlight Marvel's struggle to find the right balance and tone. This isn't just about making a superhero movie; it's about crafting a horror-action film that fits within the MCU's evolving "supernatural corner."

Hopefully, this extended development period allows the creative team to truly nail the script, find a director who aligns perfectly with the vision, and produce a film that honors the Daywalker's gritty origins while captivating a new generation of fans. The stakes (pun intended) are high, and ensuring quality over speed is a strategy that could ultimately benefit everyone.

Charting Blade's Future: Beyond the Solo Film and Into the MCU's Supernatural Realm

So, what does this all mean for Blade's eventual arrival? Well, the movie was originally slated for November 2025, but it was quietly pulled from Marvel's release calendar in October 2024. While no new release date has been announced, it's safe to say we won't be seeing it anytime soon, especially with Marvel's focus on huge upcoming projects like Avengers: Doomsday (next December) and Avengers: Secret Wars (December 2027), followed by an X-Men reboot.

However, the character of Blade isn't entirely absent from Marvel's recent offerings. An alternate universe version, combined with Moon Knight, even appeared in the animated Marvel Zombies series (voiced by Todd Williams, not Ali). And let's not forget Wesley Snipes' awesome cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, where he humorously quipped, "There’s only been one Blade, there’s only ever gonna be one Blade." This just shows the enduring appeal and recognition of the character.

Mia Goth's rumored role as Lilith is also incredibly significant for the broader MCU. Lilith, a powerful supernatural villain, could be positioned as a major threat not just for Blade, but for a potential "Midnight Sons" team-up movie, which has been widely speculated. Introducing Blade and Lilith within an ensemble narrative could be a smart move, allowing audiences to connect with Mahershala Ali's Daywalker without the pressure of a full solo film right off the bat, much like how many other heroes were introduced. This could organically build excitement and provide a clear creative direction for a future solo movie, if that's still the ultimate goal.

Ultimately, while the wait for Ali's Blade has been a test of patience for fans, the continued commitment from its stars and the studio's stated goal of "doing it right" offer a sliver of hope that when it finally arrives, it will be worth every delayed minute. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any new updates on this highly anticipated film!

What Else is Mia Goth Doing While We Eagerly Await the Daywalker's Debut?

While we're all playing the waiting game for Blade, Mia Goth certainly isn't resting on her laurels. She's currently starring in Guillermo del Toro’s critically acclaimed Frankenstein movie, showing off her versatility beyond the "scream queen" roles she's become known for.

Looking ahead, Goth has some seriously high-profile projects coming up. Next year, you can catch her in Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film, The Odyssey. And in 2027, she's set to join the galaxy far, far away in Ryan Gosling's Star Wars: Starfighter movie. These roles are bound to significantly boost her already impressive star power, keeping her very much in the spotlight.

Her busy schedule with Disney's parent company, in particular, could be a good sign. It keeps her in close professional proximity to Marvel Studios, making her continued attachment to Blade seem more concrete. The concern, as some industry watchers have noted, is that Goth might become "too famous" to anchor an MCU film that's still struggling to find its footing. But for now, it's clear she's committed and optimistic about the project, and that’s a win for all of us hoping to see Lilith clash with Blade.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MCU Blade Movie

Q: When is the MCU Blade movie coming out? A: Currently, the MCU Blade movie does not have an official release date. It was previously slated for November 2025 but was removed from Marvel's release calendar in October 2024.

Q: Who is playing Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? A: Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali is cast as the titular character, Blade, in the upcoming MCU film.

Q: Will the MCU Blade movie be R-rated? A: Yes, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that the Blade movie is intended to have an R-rating, similar to the original films and Deadpool.

Q: Who is Mia Goth playing in the Blade movie? A: While not officially confirmed by Marvel, Mia Goth is widely believed to be playing the villain Lilith, a powerful vampiric character often referred to as the daughter of Dracula.

Sources:

• Various entertainment news outlets (Elle Magazine, Deadline, IGN, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Just Jared, ComicBook.com, Cinemablend, Fortress of Solitude)