By Tribune Staff
NASHVILLE, TN — Fans anxious to see the new version of “Blade” will have to wait longer than anticipated. Disney announced last week that several new films’ release dates had been delayed. Besides “Blade,” other films affected include “Deadpool 3,” “Fantastic Four,” “Avengers: Secret Wars” plus two other currently untitled projects.
The schedule update comes less than two weeks after “Blade” director Bassam Tariq exited the film, which had been slated to begin production in November. Marvel said in a statement that Tariq, who will now serve as an executive producer, stepped down “due to continued shifts in our production schedule.”
“Blade,” which stars Mahershala Ali as the titular vampire slayer, has now been pushed back almost a year, to Sept. 6, 2024. It was previously dated for Nov. 3, 2023. Accordingly, the other films in Marvel’s Phase 5 schedule have all been bumped back.
Following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox back in 2019, Marvel Studios’ first “Deadpool” movie, currently titled “Deadpool 3,” has moved from Sept. 6, 2024, to Nov. 8, 2024. The film will also mark the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, in his first appearance as the character since 2017’s “Logan.”
The “Fantastic Four” reboot is stretching its release date from Nov. 8, 2024, to Feb. 14, 2025. That will make “Fantastic Four” officially a Valentine’s Day film. While the stars playing the fierce foursome have not yet been revealed, Marvel chief Kevin Feige announced last month at D23 that Matt Shakman would direct.
“Avengers: Secret Wars” has been postponed to May 1, 2026, from Nov. 7, 2025. 2023 will still be a Marvel-filled year. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is slated for a Feb. 17 release date, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” will arrive May 5, and “The Marvels” is due on July 28.
Marvel fans will also be able to catch season two of “Loki” and “Secret Invasion” when they next drop on Disney+.
