MCU’s Blade movie still needs a director, and I’m convinced that Marvel already has the perfect candidate after their recent successful vampire film. Blade has been in a tough spot with its development. The project was first announced in 2019, with Mahershala Ali set to debut in the role. Bᴀssam Tariq was originally attached as the director, but left the project and was replaced by Yann Demange. However, Demange left the project in 2024, placing the project in production limbo once again.

The film has since been removed from Marvel’s 2025 release schedule, but it hasn’t been canceled. Kevin Feige has shared that he expects Blade to debut in the MCU, but when is still undetermined. However, if Feige is still searching for the perfect director, he already has one in Marvel’s catalog. Ryan Coogler made two award-winning films for the studio, and just released a vampire film, Sinners, that’s being praised by critics and audiences. Feige may want some fresh blood for the MCU’s Blade, but Coogler is the best person for the job.

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners Broke Several Records In Its Opening Weekend

Sinners is setting a new standard for the vampire horror genre.

Sinners is the latest and first horror film directed by Ryan Coogler. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers, Smoke and Stack. After making money through unconventional methods in Chicago, the two brothers return home to Mississippi to open up a juke joint. However, their opening night turns into an opening nightmare when a group of vampires threatens to destroy their community. Sinners goes beyond other traditional vampire films by embracing African American culture and themes, including exploring racism and music in the deep south in the 1930s.

Coogler injects the film with tons of pᴀssion and style, and critics and audiences are celebrating it, leading to the film breaking several records. Sinners earned $63 million worldwide, giving it the best opening for an original film in the 2020s. It also earned an A Cinemascore, becoming the first horror film to receive that grade. Coogler has established himself as a director to watch for, and this release puts him at the top of the list. He did great things with films like Creed and Black Panther, but Sinners proved he’s also an excellent original storyteller.

Ryan Coogler Proved He’s The Perfect Director For The MCU’s Blade

Coogler can give Blade the authorship it needs.

Coogler is supposedly working on Black Panther 3, despite no official announcement from Marvel, but the studio should arguably consider bringing him on for Blade, especially after Sinners‘ success. The director proved he can direct entertaining and horrifying vampire action that follows vampire lore while still introducing something different. He could easily bring that same creativity to Blade while infusing the film with the kind of fresh perspective that could make it stand out from Wesley Snipes’ movies.

This could also be a good move for Marvel in terms of demonstrating that they’re committed and serious about Blade. The constantly changing production status appears to have challenged audience faith in the film, and bringing in Coogler could potentially restore some confidence in the project and its trajectory.

Ryan Coogler Is One Of The MCU’s Most Successful Directors

Black Panther and Wakanda Forever are huge success stories for Marvel.

Coogler and Marvel have already found incredible success together. 2018’s Black Panther grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. While 2022’s Wakanda Forever did slightly worse, it still made an impressive $850 million worldwide. Coogler was dealt with the unfortunate task of making a sequel to Black Panther without Chadwick Boseman, and the job he did was quite admirable. The first Black Panther was nominated for seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won three. Wakanda Forever was nominated for five and won one.

Ryan Coogler proved he can make entertaining superhero fare that’s still award-worthy and thought-provoking. Both Black Panther films have exciting action sequences and amazing comic book moments, but the impactful narratives and immersive sets make the films standout among the rest of the MCU slate. I’m happy Ryan Coogler is coming back for Black Panther 3, because another director taking on that franchise would feel wrong. However, it seems like Marvel would be making a huge mistake if they don’t sign Coogler to Blade now after how successful Sinners is.

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