Mahershala Ali and Bassam Tariq Release New Indie Film
The actor and director debut their collaboration following the cancellation of their previously planned Blade project.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Urban
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Mahershala Ali and director Bassam Tariq have released their new film, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. The project marks a pivot for the pair after they stepped away from the Marvel Cinematic Universe Blade film.
Why it matters
The film stems from Tariq's own experience searching for breastmilk for his son in New York City. Ali joined the project following the collapse of the Marvel production he had been linked to for years.
The 52-year-old actor Mahershala Ali transitioned to this new feature after spending 7 years awaiting his role in the ill-fated Marvel Blade project.
The players
Mahershala Ali
He is a veteran actor who portrays a hitman in the new film after spending seven years attached to a now-canceled Marvel project.
Bassam Tariq
He is a filmmaker who wrote and directed the new film based on his personal experiences in New York City.
John Cho
He is a prominent actor who appears as part of the ensemble cast in the new film.
Adam Hart
He is a professional stunt coordinator who worked on the film and is currently coordinating on the movie Man of Tomorrow.
Abubakr Ali
He is an actor featured in the film alongside Mahershala Ali and John Cho.
The details
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, stars Ali as a hitman on a hunt for breastmilk for his child. Scripted by Tariq, the movie blends stylistic elements from the films Killer of Sheep and Harakiri, and features performances by Abubakr Ali and John Cho.
Timeline
The article was published on October 15, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This release reflects a broader shift in Hollywood where established stars and directors move toward independent projects after the stall of major franchise blockbusters. It marks a creative departure from the stagnation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Blade production.
Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, audiences should monitor local theater listings for wide release dates. Access to this film will likely depend on its distribution rollout compared to the typical saturation of major superhero franchises.
The takeaway
This project highlights how creative professionals often pivot to intimate, personal stories when larger corporate projects fail to materialize. Viewers can look for how the film incorporates diverse stylistic influences to reshape the traditional hitman genre.
Further reading
Explore more independent cinema releases in our Urban film section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Parisstaronline.
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