Kevin Feige Says Phase 5, Which Includes 'Blade,' Is Already Set & Ready To Be Revealed

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It speaks to the power of Marvel Studios when the company can trot out actors like Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, and Sebastian Stan, among many, many more, but the big discussion after the panel is about Mahershala Ali and “Blade.” Talk about an embarrassment of riches. Announced during a “one last thing”-style tease, Ali is set to star in a reboot of the superhero horror franchise. However, don’t get too excited because as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige pointed out, “Blade” is further away than you might think.

After speaking in front of thousands in Hall H on Saturday, Feige spoke to MTV about the lineup of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and also may have revealed a bit more than he thought.

READ MORE: Mahershala Ali To Star In Marvel Studios’ New ‘Blade’ Film

The Marvel boss said that there are 11 projects that make up the MCU’s next phase. However, we only know of 10. And before you get too excited, we know that “Blade” is actually Phase 5. So, what’s the mystery project? Speculation (and a dash of common sense) points to the 11th film being the next ‘Spider-Man’ film from Sony. Since his introduction in ‘Civil War,’ Tom Holland’s solo Spidey films have been released two years apart, and all signs point to Sony wanting to continue that trend. That would put ‘Spider-Man 3’ sometime in 2021, and thus, Phase 4.

But again, the big shock on Saturday was “Blade,” and most notably, Mahershala Ali’s involvement.

Ali’s casting actually points to the actor’s apparent desire to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the Hall H surprise, it was revealed to THR that Ali called up Feige after the actor won his second Oscar earlier this year, and said that he wanted to be in a new “Blade.”

“When Mahershala calls, you answer,” Feige said.

READ MORE: ‘Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings’: Marvel Announces February 2021 Release; Tony Leung & Awkwafina Join The Cast

Sadly, there’s only one problem when someone like Ali calls Marvel — the wait. You see, Feige and his cohorts have already planned out the MCU for years to come. And with the panel at SDCC, it’s clear that Marvel already has their next two years planned. So, as Feige confirmed with Collider, while “Blade” is in development, the film won’t be part of Phase 4 over the next two years, and instead, will be part of Phase 5.

In fact, the Marvel president said that Phase 5 is already set in stone. There were even discussions about maybe showing it off in San Diego. Obviously, if the studio did that, people might have actually died in the crowd due to random head explosions. So, it’s probably for the best that Marvel Studios used Ali to only hint at the future. Plus, Marvel wouldn’t want to take away from the just-announced projects of Phase 4.

READ MORE: ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness’ Arrives May 2021; Elizabeth Olsen To Co-Star

Phase 4 officially kicks off with next year’s “Black Widow” on May 1, 2020. Phase 5, on the other hand, is likely coming sometime in 2022 or later.