Mahershala Ali has shared multiple updates regarding Marvel's long-delayed Blade movie while promoting his latest film, Jurassic World Rebirth - none of which inspire much confidence.

Blade was first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 and was originally scheduled for release this November. However, after cycling through multiple directors and facing numerous setbacks, the project remains in limbo six years later.

It's now been eight months since Marvel removed Blade from its release schedule without providing a new date. When questioned about the delay last November, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige maintained that Blade remains a priority.

"We remain fully committed to Blade. We believe in Mahershala's interpretation of the character," Feige told Omelete. "Though timelines shift during development, audiences will always be informed. Rest assured, Blade will join the MCU."

Ali himself offered less-than-reassuring comments to Variety: "Call Marvel. I'm prepared whenever they are." His remarks to The Hollywood Reporter were similarly vague: "I'd love Blade to happen, but Marvel's current direction is unclear. Right now, I'm focused on finding impactful roles."

Several creatives previously attached to Blade have confirmed the project's indefinite hiatus. In April, musician Flying Lotus revealed on Twitter that his scoring contract dissolved alongside production: "I was set to compose music before everything collapsed. The version I worked on seems permanently shelved."

Sinners costume designer Ruth E. Carter disclosed during an interview that her involvement with Blade's 1920s-era costume designs ended abruptly when Marvel halted development.

Shortly before Carter's comments, actor Delroy Lindo shared insights with Entertainment Weekly: "Marvel initially welcomed my creative input during discussions with writers and directors. The concept showed real promise before derailing unexpectedly."

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The Blade franchise received renewed attention following Wesley Snipes' cameo appearance in Disney's $1.3 billion hit Deadpool & Wolverine. Star Ryan Reynolds publicly advocated for Snipes' iteration of Blade to receive a proper send-off film resembling Logan.

"Blade pioneered the modern superhero genre," Reynolds tweeted. "No Blade means no X-Men or MCU. He's Marvel's founding father. Let's give this legend his Logan moment."