Marvel’s Blade movie is not coming until 2024, but Mahershala Ali’s solo movie is more important to MCU Phase 5 than you might realize.

Marvel Studios’ Blade movie is more important to the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 5 plan than expected thanks to a few decisions. The solo film for Eric Brooks starring two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali has been among the most exciting MCU movies ever since it was announced in 2019. The film has gone through several changes since that point, with major script rewrites, different directors, and multiple delays creating some concern. As it currently stands, Blade is finally set to release in theaters in late 2024 as one of the final films in Phase 5.

The excitement surrounding Blade has primarily stemmed from the idea of seeing Mahershala Ali tackle the famous role as the MCU fully introduces vampires. With rumors that Blade is a prequel set decades in the MCU’s past, questions have surfaced about how important it really is to the Phase 5 plan. The vampire-slaying adventure seemingly has no connections to the multiverse or the larger Multiverse Saga narrative. However, Blade is one of the most important MCU Phase 5 movies as a result of where it comes in the slate and the story and characters it explores.

3.Blade Will Break Phase 5’s MCU Sequel Obsession

A big reason why Blade is so important to Phase 5 is that it breaks the MCU’s sequel obsession trend. Currently set for a September 6, 2024 release date, Blade will be the first non-sequel solo movie released in three years. Following back-to-back releases of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals in 2021, Marvel Studios will release eight consecutive sequels. The MCU sequel trend could even arguably expand to nine by counting Thunderbolts, which is technically a new potential franchise but has a roster of characters made almost entirely of known characters.

This makes Blade‘s place in Phase 5 a chance for Marvel Studios to get back to doing something that used to be a key part of the “Marvel formula.” Solo films for single characters were once a staple of the MCU slate and were bound to happen once a year. The sequel streak the MCU is currently on makes it more difficult for new audiences to jump into the franchise and meet new characters to follow. Blade will be an opportunity to bring a new group of fans into the fold as it could be largely disconnected from the overall Multiverse Saga storyline.

2.Blade Expands The MCU Supernatural Story In Phase 5

The supernatural corner of the franchise that should be explored is another reason why Blade is so important to MCU Phase 5. Marvel Studios started to expand on this side of the MCU in Phase 4 by making shows like Moon Knight and specials like Werewolf by Night. Furthermore, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Eternals included some connections to the supernatural MCU characters. Blade‘s vampire story gives Marvel Studios a chance to really expand this section of the franchise, treating audiences to more Marvel horror, even in a likely PG-13 setting.

Blade‘s role in crafting the supernatural corner of the MCU allows the movie to play a major role in setting up a part of the franchise that could become much bigger after the Multiverse Saga. Introducing teams like the Midnight Sons has been the topic of countless theories, which also creates an opportunity for new supernatural characters to debut. The importance that Blade should play in setting up the MCU’s future also doubles as a way for Marvel Studios to take a break from the other prominent storylines. It is unlikely to be tied to the multiverse or the budding street-level corner, allowing Blade to focus solely on the supernatural.

1.Blade Gives The MCU Another Major Hero To Fight Kang

For as disconnected as Blade might be from the larger MCU story, its importance in Phase 5 also stems from giving Marvel Studios another hero who can help fight Kang. There are some doubts about if Mahershala Ali’s Blade will be in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but he should battle one of the multiverse variants at some point. This is most likely to occur in Avengers: Secret Wars and see Ali’s Blade team up with the Avengers to fight the Council of Kangs. While that would be possible even if a Blade movie were not happening, the solo film will properly introduce him ahead of that potential fight.

Blade should only be a piece of the puzzle to defeating Kang in Avengers: Secret Wars, though. The vampire hunter is not powerful enough on his own to take down the multiverse-level threat. That will not stop the skilled fighter from lending a hand in saving Earth-616 from the Council of Kangs and a possible incursion. This should be the opportunity for Marvel Studios to finally let Mahershala Ali’s character interact with some other major MCU heroes after the Blade movie.