Despite the back-and-forth and behind the scenes chaos that has plagued the Marvel Studios’ attempt to reboot the Blade franchise, the beloved vampire hunter will make his debut in the MCU next year. Though no doubt not in the way you would expect. The newly released trailer for the upcoming Marvel slate on Disney+ has revealed our first look at the franchise’s Daywalker, who will make his debut in animated form in the upcoming series Marvel Zombies.

Of course, having battled supernatural beasts for so long, Blade will not become one of the undead. Instead, the character is seen in the footage slashing his way through zombies while possessing what appears to be the powers (and costume) of fellow Midnight Suns member, Moon Knight. With glowing white eyes, a white cape, and expert swordsmanship, Blade cuts an epic figure in Marvel Zombies. Though fans will be understandably disappointed that his will appear in animated form before his live-action solo outing.

To be completely accurate, Blade has appeared in the MCU already. Though we didn’t see him. His voice, played by Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, was heard off-screen in 2021’s largely maligned Eternals. At present, it is unknown whether the actor, who has been signed on to play Blade since 2019, will voice the character in Marvel Zombies. Blade is expected to play a big role in Marvel Zombies, which will continue on from the events of the What If…? episode “What If… Zombies?!” and follows a group of survivors who must fight former heroes and villains who are now the walking dead.

Where the Hell Is the MCU Blade Reboot?

The MCU Blade reboot has seriously struggled to get going, with the project losing directors, writers, and frustrating lead star and Oscar winner Mahershala Ali along the way. Following Wesley Snipes reprising the role in this year’s Deadpool & Wolverine, many are wondering whether the actor should instead be given his own fourth outing as the character.

Despite a more promising production update earlier this year, with Mahershala Ali now reportedly “really encouraged” by what’s in store, the Blade reboot was recently removed from the release schedule. Thankfully, action movie fans will still have something to look forward to, as the release date of November 7, 2025, has now been taken by the upcoming Predator movie, Badlands.

Related X-Men ‘97 Writer Shares His Idea for Wesley Snipes ‘Old Man’ Blade Movie Beau DeMayo, who was previously set to write the MCU Blade reboot, has shared his pitch for a potential fourth Wesley Snipes-led sequel.

Marvel Zombies is now confirmed to debut on Disney+ in October 2025. The rest of the Marvel slate includes What If…? Season 3 (December 22, 2024), Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (January 29, 2025), Daredevil: Born Again (March 4, 2025), Ironheart (June 24, 2025), Eyes of Wakanda (August 6, 2025), and Wonder Man (December 2025). To the relief of Marvel fans, it has also now been revealed that this year’s hugely successful multiverse outing Deadpool & Wolverine will land on Disney+ on November 12.