Marvel Studios is just a few weeks into its new venture with Phase 4 of the MCU, which is already receiving rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The WandaVision finale coming on March 5 is building up considerable hype, which will be followed up in two weeks by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and eight subsequent MCU entries through the course of the year.
There are still a few Phase 4 entries that have some uncertainty in terms of release dates and other specifics, including the Mahershala Ali-led reboot of Blade. The film came as the curtain call announcement at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, and since then, Marvel Studios has found its writer in Stacy Osei-Kuffour. Rumors have also pointed to filming beginning on this dark journey in late 2021.
In that vein, news has arrived seemingly confirming that rumor and pointing to some casting calls as well.
BLADE PRODUCTION COMING TOGETHER
POC Culture has exclusively reported that Marvel Studios has put out casting calls for two Black female roles for a project starting filming in September 2021.
The first role is named "Betsy," and is described as a 20-35 year old Black/African-American female. Betsy is said to be an "aspiring hero," and the role requires a strong background in comedy.
The second role is under the name "Lucy," and is reportedly a 20-30 year old African-American female. Lucy is said to be "tough and on the run" after losing her mother under "mysterious circumstances," and is spending time off the grid.
Additionally, insider Daniel Ritchman shared that Marvel Studios is looking to cast the role of "Ruby," a teenager described as “thoughtful, serious, and burdened by growing up in a complex world.”
Richtman's report also confirms an exclusive from DisInsider that production will begin on Blade in September 2021, which will continue through December. Based on this report, it seems likely that the two earlier roles listed above will be for this very movie.
MARVEL'S DAYWALKER MAKING EARLY HEADWAY
While these roles are fairly vague for the time being, as expected, it opens the door for a character that didn't make her way into any of the original Blade movies: Eric Brooks' daughter, Fallon Grey.
Fallon has been in development for a comic run for the last few years, but the creator, Jim Seely, never got the chance to complete his work since he quit the project before the book was ever published. With the direction Marvel Studios is taking in terms of younger Avengers, Fallon is a real possibility once the MCU introduces Marvel's most notable daywalker.
With the MCU already bringing in classic Young Avengers characters like Billy and Tommy Maximoff in WandaVision, the Patriot in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Kamala Khan in Ms. Marvel, and more, this would make a great deal of sense. As excited as fans are to see the MCU tackle Blade for the first time, this addition would certainly help the franchise grow even more for the future.
As for the production timeline, it's fantastic to see confirmation that Blade will begin filming within the next few months. Rumors have pointed to Blade taking the open Marvel Studios release date on October 7, 2022, and should this production schedule prove to be true, this would give Marvel plenty of time to complete shooting before going into post-production.
With all this news, it's thrilling to get more confirmations of the MCU's plans with this legacy property. Blade will begin shooting in September 2021.
