Mahershala Ali, set to star as Blade in Marvel's long-delayed film, has partnered with former director Bassam Tariq for a new action movie titled "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother." MGM released a trailer for the film, which Tariq is writing and directing, showcasing Ali as a devout hitman on a mission to protect his children after his wife's death. The movie is set to arrive in select theaters on September 25 and expand to a wider release in October.
The project joins a notable cast including John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Tramell Tillman, Abubakr Ali, Tiffany Boone, and Laith Nakli. Katelin Arizmendi, known for her cinematography work on "Succession" and "Dune," is on board as cinematographer, with Son Lux, who composed the score for "Everything Everywhere All At Once," handling the music. "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" was announced in February 2025, with filming concluding on May 29, 2025, a notably swift production timeline compared to the ongoing development issues with Marvel's "Blade."
Marvel's "Blade" has faced numerous production hurdles since its initial announcement in July 2019. Mahershala Ali himself championed the project, and Bassam Tariq was attached as director in 2021. The film's journey has been marked by script rewrites, director changes, and external delays. Beau DeMayo, a writer previously involved, alleged his departure stemmed from concerns over racially charged comments from Marvel executives. Tariq eventually left the project due to further delays.
Following these setbacks, Yann Demange was brought in as director with Michael Starrbury as screenwriter. Nic Pizzolatto later contributed another rewrite, shifting the film's setting to the prohibition era. However, the project was further stalled by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. The premise reportedly changed again afterward, moving away from the 1920s setting, leading costume designer Ruth E. Carter to depart for other opportunities.
Demange exited the film in March 2024. While Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has indicated that a director is still being sought, industry insider reports suggest the solo "Blade" movie may be defunct, with Marvel potentially pivoting towards a "Midnight Sons" film. Arkane Studios is also reportedly developing a "Blade" game, though its future remains uncertain amidst mass layoffs at Microsoft. For now, "Blade" has been limited to appearances in "What If...?" and as a character in "Marvel Rivals."