Bassam Tariq has stepped down as the director for Marvel Studios' Blade.

"Due to continued shifts in our production schedule, Bassam is no longer moving forward as director of Blade but will remain an executive producer on the film," Marvel said in a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter. "We appreciate Bassam’s talent and all the work he’s done getting Blade to where it is."

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Prior to this announcement, Blade was on track to start shooting in November. It's unclear how or if Tariq's departure will affect the film's production. Marvel Studios has reportedly already started the search for a new director. "It's been an honor working with the wonderful folks at Marvel," Tariq said in his own statement. "We were able to put together a killer cast and crew. Eager to see where the next director takes the film."

Blade Searches for a New Director

Blade was introduced to the MCU in 2021's Eternals, with the film's second post-credit scene only featuring the voice of Mahershala Ali as the character. While Blade debuted in Marvel Comics in 1973, Ali explained that he was introduced to the character through Snipes' performance in the original Blade trilogy. "Well, only what I discovered, like everyone else in the late '90s with Wesley Snipes, you know," the two-time Oscar winner said regarding his knowledge of the Marvel character. "And ... I don't think I even noticed how, at least at that time, how I was just accustomed to there not being black superheroes."

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Ali will star in the MCU film as the titular Daywalker and will be joined by actor Delroy Lindo (Get Shorty, Da 5 Bloods). Lindo's Blade role, which is being kept tightly under wraps, was announced in November 2021. It was the first casting news for the upcoming Marvel film since Ali was revealed as the iconic vampire hunter at Comic-Con in San Diego in 2019.

Eric Brooks/Blade first appeared in 1973's The Tomb of Dracula #10 from Marvel Comics and was created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan. A skilled fighter who possesses the physical abilities of a vampire, Blade is a "daywalker," meaning he is able to walk in the daylight without being killed and uses his skills to hunt and kill vampires. He was portrayed by Wesley Snipes in the 1998 film Blade, and twice more in 2002's Blade II and Blade: Trinity in 2004. The character also appeared in a 2006 television series where he was portrayed by Sticky Fingaz.

Marvel Studios' Blade is expected to release in theaters on Nov. 3, 2023.

Source: THR