Marvel Faces Scrutiny After 2 Black-Led Projects Stall, Ending Ali's 7-Year Blade Run
Updated
Updated · Complex · Jul 31
Marvel Faces Scrutiny After 2 Black-Led Projects Stall, Ending Ali's 7-Year Blade Run
3 articles · Updated · Complex · Jul 31
Summary
Disney+ canceled Wonder Man despite renewing it for a second season months earlier, while Mahershala Ali said he has left Marvel's long-delayed Blade reboot.
Ali told GQ the project "is not for me" after seven years tied to the role, as Blade cycled through director changes, script rewrites and release-date delays before losing its calendar slot.
Wonder Man's reversal was abrupt: Variety reported no season-two writers' room was opened and co-creator Andrew Guest and the writing staff were released.
The cancellation landed despite strong credentials — Wonder Man's first season holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, and star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II earned an Emmy nomination.
Online reaction has centered on Disney's commitment to diverse programming, with the twin setbacks to Black-led Marvel projects drawing renewed criticism.