In a surprising behind-the-scenes revelation, the team behind Ryan Coogler’s new film Sinners has confirmed that many of the costumes used in the movie were originally designed for Marvel Studios’ now-delayed reboot of Blade.
According to Sinners producer Sev Ohanian, the film’s costume department acquired a large batch of period clothing that was initially made for Blade when it was still set in the 1920s. The Marvel project had prepared a full wardrobe under the direction of award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, but after the film ran into repeated delays and was eventually pulled from Marvel’s production slate, the costumes were left unused. That’s when the Sinners team stepped in.
Marvel Let ‘Sinners’ Use 1920s ‘Blade’ Costume
When Marvel’s Blade reboot was first in development, it was reportedly set in the 1920s and focused on a dark, period-specific tone. Ruth E. Carter, known for her Oscar-winning work on Black Panther, had already completed costume designs for the film before production halted.
Speaking during a Q&A at the SCAD TVfest, Ohanian explained that Marvel Studios allowed the Sinners team to purchase these costumes “at cost,” meaning they paid only the original price to acquire them. This move helped Sinners, a vampire thriller set in the same decade, maintain historical authenticity without having to design everything from scratch.
“It was a huge help for us,” said Ohanian. “Ruth had created an entire warehouse of beautiful, authentic 1920s clothing for Blade, and when it didn’t move forward, we were able to access it directly from Marvel. They were generous and kind throughout the process.”
Most of the repurposed outfits were used for background actors and extras in crowd scenes, while the lead cast, including Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, wore custom costumes designed specifically for their characters.
Blade Still Stalled, But Its Legacy Shows Up Elsewhere
Marvel’s reboot of Blade, starring Mahershala Ali in the title role, was first announced in 2019. Since then, the project has gone through multiple script rewrites and changes in direction, including a shift away from the original 1920s setting. Production has yet to begin, and Marvel removed the film from its release calendar in late 2024.
Although Blade has yet to see the light of day, its costume work found a second life in Sinners, which opened earlier this year to strong box office numbers. The film earned over $364 million globally and was praised for its rich visuals and period detail.
This unusual reuse of costumes not only highlights the creative resourcefulness of independent filmmakers but also reveals a rare instance of collaboration between a major studio and a separate production. It’s not common for Marvel to allow materials from its in-house projects to be sold, let alone used in another major film — but in this case, it appears to have worked out for both sides.
As for Blade, fans continue to wait for updates on its future. Mahershala Ali has publicly expressed continued interest in playing the iconic vampire hunter, but as of now, there is no confirmed production timeline.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): variety
