‘White Boy Rick’ and ‘Lovecraft Country’ helmer Yann Demange has been set as the director for Marvel’s forthcoming vampire action thriller ‘Blade.’
Demange replaces Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) who parted ways on the production in September due to “creative differences”.
Michael Starrbury, who earned an Emmy nomination for penning an episode of Ava DuVernay’s drama, ‘When They See Us,’ has been hired to pen a brand new script for the project. Marhershala Ali is still on board to play the titular character.
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Details are being kept under wraps but sources say the new intent is for Blade to be dark and grittier in tone, falling on the edgier side of Marvel’s world.
Production is now due to commence in Atlanta in 2023, maintaining Blade’s release date which is set for September 6, 2024.
Demange is best known for dramatic thrillers ’71 and White Boy Rick. His work on Lovecraft Country set the dark and deep tone for the series, which tackled racial themes as well as a variety of horror scares while also giving a platform for stars Jonathan Majors and Jurnee Smollett. He is currently developing a series take on David Cronenberg’s seminal horror movie, Scanners, for HBO, which he will direct and executive produce.
