Delroy Lindo comments on the Marvel Studios' Blade reboot: "It simply went off course."

      Delroy Lindo had aspirations to appear in a vampire movie; while he initially aimed for a role in Marvel Studios’ Blade, he has now emerged as a standout performer in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners for Warner Bros.

      The path to his latest film was tumultuous, primarily because the renowned actor was coming off of the Blade project, which was intended to be the Marvel vampire film if it had materialized. As many know, the production led by Mahershala Ali faced significant challenges. Lindo was originally cast but the lineup has since changed from the initial plans.

      In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor candidly shared that the early stages of production deteriorated quickly: “When Marvel approached me, they seemed genuinely interested in my input. During the various discussions I had with producers, the writer, and the director at that time, everything pointed towards being very inclusive. It was conceptually exciting, and also thrilling regarding the character that was supposed to be developed. Then, for reasons unknown, it just went off course.”

      Regarding the character he would have portrayed, Lindo hinted at a persona reminiscent of “Marcus Garvey.” Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican political activist, recognized for his powerful oratory and for founding the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

      “I’m not suggesting it would’ve been a complete Garvey-ite,” Lindo clarified. “Not that, but in terms of how this man’s philosophy, his ethos, and motivations were. He was a character who, quite like Sinners, fostered a community—a Black community. He was a figure who led this community.”

      Last year, Marvel removed Blade from its 2025 release schedule, although Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige later reaffirmed his confidence that Mahershala Ali’s Blade “will eventually join the MCU.”