Marvel is bringing Blade back to the big screen in the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali taking over the role. Stacy Osei-Kuffour (“Watchmen”) was recently brought on board to write the script, and Deadline reports today that Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) is now in talks to direct the character’s return to the screen.
Deadline details, “Kevin Feige, Ali and studio execs have been meeting with dozen of candidates…. Those that made the final cut met and delivered their final presentations…. and in the end it was Tariq’s vision that ultimately won all parties over.”
Osei-Kuffour recently served as story editor and episode writer on HBO’s “Watchmen,” and she has also worked in the writing departments on “PEN15,” “Hunters” and “Run.”
The Wesley Snipes-starring Blade, meanwhile, came to 4K Ultra HD late last year.
The vampire-slaying character was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan, introduced in July 1973’s The Tomb of Dracula #10. Snipes played Blade across three films from 1998 through 2004, and he was played by Sticky Fingaz in a short-lived TV series.