Marvel's Blade Change Risks Making MCU Phase 4's New Problem Worse

Marvel's Blade reboot is constantly undergoing changes that threaten to make the Marvel Cinematic Universe's recent problems even worse. While little is yet known about Blade or its story, the film has quickly become infamous for its constant production delays and behind-the-scenes drama, which have resulted in its release date being pushed all the way back to late 2024, though future delays can't be ruled out. In the wake of the MCU's controversial Phase 4, which saw lower-than-average critical reviews and box office numbers for the franchise, the latest reported change to Blade threatens to perpetuate Marvel's biggest problems into Phase 5.

Marvel first announced its Blade reboot at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, with Mahershala Ali replacing Wesley Snipes as the titular Vampire Hunter. The film was included in Kevin Feige's announcements while revealing the MCU's slate for Phase 4 but was eventually revealed to be an entry in Phase 5. However, reports of behind-the-scenes issues were eventually confirmed when director Bassam Tariq left the project and was subsequently replaced by Lovecraft Country's Yann Demange. Around the same time, Blade dropped several months back in Marvel's slate, now set to release after Thunderbolts, which is the confirmed finale to Phase 5, suggesting that Ali's MCU debut will be part of Phase 6.

Blade Rumored To Have Cut Kit Harington's Black Knight

blade actor mahershala ali and eternals black knight kit harington

Recent reports suggest that Blade cut a Black Knight role as a part of its massive rewrites. Kit Harington's Dane Whitman was introduced in Eternals, the controversial Phase 4 film from Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao. Whitman, who is also known as the superhero Black Knight in Marvel Comics, played a minor role in Eternals but did appear in the film's post-credit scene, potentially setting up his future in the MCU. The scene ended with the shocking implication that he would appear in the upcoming Blade film after Mahershala Ali made a surprise vocal cameo, though the future of this exciting team-up now appears to be at stake after Marvel's shakeups.

Implications that Blade will now be a prequel make it hard for the Black Knight to appear, especially since it is implied that Eternals' post-credit scene marked Dane Whitman's first encounter with the Vampire Hunter. While it may have been Marvel's plan to use Blade as a springboard for more supernatural heroes to come together in their own team, including Harington's Black Knight, the film may now be used to introduce Ali's character to a new generation of filmgoers who may not be as familiar with the original Blade trilogy. Choosing to set Blade in the past would explain Harington's supposed exit from the film despite Eternals' post-credit scene.

Blade Cutting Black Knight Fails To Deliver On Eternals' Credits Tease

Dane Whitman and the Ebony Blade from the Eternals post-credit scene.

Blade's recent changes show that the film will fail to deliver on Eternals' post-credit scene. In the final tag for the 2021 film, Dane Whitman is shown preparing to claim a family heirloom, which is suggested to be the mystical blade known as the Ebony Blade. In Marvel Comics, the Ebony Blade is the signature weapon of the Black Knight and each of his predecessors, which grants them the magical ability to cut through anything, including Celestial armor. The scene ends with Ali's voice as Blade asks Whitman if he's really prepared to take the blade before cutting to black, leaving the scene on an intense cliffhanger that will remain unresolved.

With Blade's recent story changes, Black Knight's MCU origin risks becoming a complete misfire. It has already been several years since Whitman's meeting with Blade, both in-universe and in the real world, with little indication from Marvel as to what the character's future might be in the franchise. If Marvel waits too long to reveal its plans for Black Knight, the studio runs the risk of audiences losing interest in the character entirely, especially since he is not widely known outside of the comic fandom. The MCU desperately needs to provide concrete evidence of a plan for Black Knight's future very soon, finally following through on Eternals' post-credits promise.

Many MCU Phase 4 Credits Teases Haven't Been Fulfilled Yet

Various post-credits scenes from MCU phase 4 movies.

Phase 4's post-credit set-ups and teases have become somewhat infamous in recent years for making lofty promises that may not be fulfilled for years. Major characters and storylines were unveiled in Phase 4's end-credit scenes, very few of which have actually come to fruition yet in the MCU. In particular, the films of Phase 4 came under fire for introducing far too many characters all at once, many of whom may not appear in the MCU for many more years, including Starfox and the Black Knight in Eternals, Venom in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Clea in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Hercules in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Unfortunately, recent post-credit scenes don't live up to Iron Man's iconic final tag, though they certainly attempt to capture a familiar feeling. Phase 4's end-credits teases are too lofty and too reliant on casting stunts, revealing major stars like Harry Styles and Charlize Theron as new MCU superheroes without providing any new information on upcoming storylines involving those characters. Unlike Samuel L. Jackson's first scene as Nick Fury, many of Phase 4's credits scenes feel empty, shoving characters into films at the last moment as misguided fan service rather than in service to a greater story. What could have been an exhilarating moment is only dampened by hollow execution.

Thankfully, Phase 5 is hopefully fixing the post-credits problem that became so prevalent in Phase 4. The first entry in Phase 5, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, though controversial among critics and audiences, took the first steps in delivering more substantial post-credit scenes. In its two end-credit scenes, Quantumania introduced multiple Kang variants, all portrayed by Jonathan Majors, each of which has massive implications for the future of the Multiverse Saga. These variants, who make up the Council of Kangs, have unlimited potential to appear in upcoming MCU projects and clearly have significant roles to play therein, given that Kang has been confirmed as the Avengers' next big threat.

When & How Can Black Knight Return In The MCU

black knight with the ebony blade in marvel comics

Dane Whitman can still return in other MCU projects besides the upcoming Blade reboot. For instance, the character stands a good chance of appearing in the heavily rumored Eternals sequel, which, while unconfirmed, has been hinted at by several cast and crew members of the original film. The ending of the original film saw Gemma Chan's Sersi kidnapped before Dane's very eyes by the Celestial Arishem, leaving her fate uncertain. It would therefore be a natural progression of Dane's story if he took up the Ebony Blade in Eternals 2 in a desperate attempt to rescue Sersi and her friends from the Celestials.

Although Blade seems to be out of the question, Kit Harington's MCU character may also have a future in other supernatural projects within the franchise. Marvel has come to embrace the horror genre in recent years with projects such as Multiverse of Madness and Werewolf by Night. In fact, the MCU is even rumored to be setting up its very own Midnight Sons team, which could be led by Blade himself. The Black Knight is a sure candidate for Marvel's Midnight Sons, especially given the mystical nature of his comic book counterpart. Even without a cameo in Blade, Dane Whitman is sure to join the Daywalker in future MCU team-ups.

MORE: Blade’s MCU Setting Can Succeed Where Eternals Failed