Marvel Studios’ Blade reboot loses a cast member, as one of the project’s first actors has confirmed he will no longer be involved with the MCU movie.

One actor previously cast in Marvel Studios’ Blade reboot has confirmed that he is no longer involved with the upcoming MCU Phase 6 project. Following years of a Blade reboot being rumored, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige finally confirmed the project’s development in 2019, and revealed that acclaimed actor Mahershala Ali will portray the titular character, despite his run as Cottonmouth in Marvel Television’s Luke Cage. Since then, however, Blade’s tumultuous production has been plagued with delays, strikes, departures and rewrites, meaning the project now isn’t expected to release until November 7, 2025, two years after its original 2023 release date.

Although Blade’s production finally seems to be making progress, actor Aaron Pierre spoke to Variety during the 55th NAACP Image Awards, and confirmed that he was no longer involved with the project. Pierre, who rose to prominence with roles in DC’s Syfy series Krypton, The Underground Railroad and M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, was cast in an undisclosed role in Blade back in February 2022. Pierre noted that, “as the project evolved, [he’s] no longer part of that,” suggesting that Pierre’s character was omitted during one of Blade’s various rewrites, though there are still some impressive additions to Blade’s upcoming cast.

Early on, there were conversations. As the project evolved, I’m no longer part of that — attached.

Who Is Appearing In Marvel Studios’ Blade?

Mahershala Ali was the first actor confirmed for Marvel Studios’ Blade reboot, taking over from Wesley Snipes as a new live-action version of Eric Brooks, a.k.a. the vampire hunter Blade. As well as his previous stint as Luke Cage season 1’s villain, Mahershala Ali has appeared in Sony’s Spider-Verse as the voice of Uncle Aaron, and has achieved worldwide acclaim, and won two Academy Awards for his supporting roles in Moonlight and Green Book. Throughout Blade’s production, Mahershala Ali has thankfully remained confident and positive, and recently stressed that he’s “really encouraged” during a December 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly.

We’re working on it. That’s the best I could tell you. I’m really encouraged with the direction of the project. I think we’ll be back at it relatively soon.

Aaron Pierre was the third actor cast in Blade back in 2022, falling behind Mahershala Ali himself and English-American actor Delroy Lindo, a frequent collaborator with director Spike Lee, who was cast in November 2021. Charm City Kings and The Wonder Years star Milan Ray reportedly joined the cast of Blade in June 2022, though Marvel Studios has yet to confirm her casting. Horror icon Mia Goth was confirmed to be joining Blade in April 2023, providing insight into what tone Blade may take. With production making clear progress, new information surrounding the cast of Blade may soon become clear.