Director Bassam Tariq has channeled his experiences after departing Marvel's Blade into a personal drama titled Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, starring Mahershala Ali. The film, set to premiere at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival and release on September 25, explores themes of family, faith, and action, drawing parallels to the kind of character-driven narratives Tariq admires in mediums like video games.

Originally tapped to direct Mahershala Ali in Marvel's Blade, Tariq left the project in 2022. Rather than hindering his creative momentum, the experience spurred the creation of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. "This did not impede Tariq from living the dream," the film's description notes. The movie follows a Muslim contract killer in Texas as he navigates protecting his children and providing for his newborn, blending family drama with intense action sequences.

Tariq described the collaborative dynamic with Ali as crucial to the film's realization. "I had written the script with him in mind," Tariq explained. "In my earliest drafts dude, I didn't even have a name for the character. I just wrote 'Mahershala.'" The two first met to discuss a potential collaboration while still involved with Blade, establishing a creative synergy that led to this project.

For Tariq, the pivot from a studio tentpole to a more author-driven piece allowed for greater creative control. "When you're in [Marvel’s] system... It's not a film by Bassam Tariq. It's a Marvel film that Bassam Tariq is directing," he stated. "To have a voice as a filmmaker, to be clear and have a position on what a camera means and how a camera should sit, is the better way for me."

The character of Latif, portrayed by Ali, was developed through extensive conversations between the director and actor. They focused on Latif's specific gait and a Southern drawl, drawing from their shared experiences and Southern heritage. Ali's Muslim faith also streamlined the creative process, eliminating the need for extensive explanations about cultural or religious practices on set.

Tariq highlighted how the film integrates religious and secular settings, from mosques and homes to strip clubs and schools, aiming for an immersive rather than an educational portrayal of Muslim life. He credits Orion studio head Alana Mayo for allowing the film the freedom to be "blunt" and "effortless."

The director also drew inspiration from video games, citing Chrono Trigger and Shenmue as particular influences. He appreciated Shenmue's blend of everyday life and intense action, noting, "It takes place in the '80s... but it's trying to go back to this lore that's back in the day, very fantastical, but everything's still very grounded." Tariq believes audiences appreciate being treated as intelligent, preferring to provide just enough narrative to engage them, allowing room for their own discovery, much like the lore-building found in games like Five Nights at Freddy's.