Mahershala Ali, 52, has spoken publicly for the first time about leaving Marvel Studios following the cancellation of the "Blade" reboot. He made the comments in an interview with Deadline at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 13.
The "Blade" project was first announced on July 20, 2019, during Marvel's panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, when the studio revealed that Ali would play the title character.
Ali said he underwent intense physical training organized by Marvel for a full year to prepare for the role. He said he was very grateful to the studio, noting that Marvel had helped pay for training he and the production could not otherwise have afforded, and that without that support the film could not have been made. He said he was thankful for what he called Marvel's wonderful contribution to the project.
Asked directly whether "Blade" was truly finished for him, Ali did not hedge. He said it was over for him, that he was focused on his current work and whatever comes next, and that the chapter is closed.
"Blade" is one of Marvel's longest-running vampire hunter characters, previously played on screen by Wesley Snipes in a trilogy of films released between 1998 and 2004. The planned reboot with Ali had been in development for years before its cancellation.
Ali's new film at TIFF
Ali is currently promoting "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2026. He plays Latif, a deeply religious hitman whose life is upended after his wife's death, forcing him to travel to Houston to protect his children while confronting both physical danger and his own faith.
The film's cast also includes John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Abubakr Ali, Tramell Tilman, Tiffany Boone and Laith Nakli. It is directed and written by Bassam Tariq.
What comes next
"Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" is scheduled for release on September 25, 2026, through Amazon MGM Studios.
