While everyone is busy guessing what comic book characters will hit the Marvel Cinematic Universe first, in the wake of the Fox & Disney merger, one studio rubs its hands together maniacally, ecstatic to have properties not under that banner. Of course we’re talking about Sony. After the surprising success of Venom and the juggernaut that is Into The Spider-Verse,they’re hard at work on several more films. Presumably to round out their alternate universe, until their contract is up. The first one to make it to the screen appears to be Morbius. Jared Leto made sure to jump on social media to prove this is very much the case.
1 week down…11 to go…🧛♀️🧛♀️
Get Ready 💪#MORBIUS @MorbiusMovie pic.twitter.com/3Tm9CGGKFz— JARED LETO (@JaredLeto) March 5, 2019
Well, that clapperboard sure looks to be the genuine article and we’re certain that’s Leto, so everything appears to be on the up and up. Not much is know about the film, other than it’s being directed by Daniel Espinosa (Life) and written by the duo of Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless. It should be noted that those two were responsible for The Last Witch Hunter, Gods of Egypt and (surprise surprise) Dracula Untold. Though that might not exactly inspire confidence, the wacky tone of the three films actually falls in-line with what became of Venom.
In the comics Michael Morbius is a former Nobel Prize-winning biochemist, who specialized in animal and human biology. He spent part of his time obsessing over attempting to cure a rare blood condition he was afflicted with. Eventually it lead to him contracting a case of “pseudo-vampirism”. Which was caused by experimenting with a treatment combining vampire bat DNA with electroshock therapy. This left him with a thirst for blood and an aversion to light. Yet also superhuman strength, a healing factor as well as the ability to fly. After several run-ins with Spider-Man and a host of other superheroes as an antagonist, he went on to become an anti-hero. Even getting his own series, called Morbius: The Living Vampire, in the process.
An interesting wrinkle to all this is the above tweet indicates the film is one week into shooting and still adding members to the cast. Deadline broke the news yesterday that Mad Men alum Jared Harris had just signed onto the production. As with all things involving this film, nothing else is known about his involvement. Alongside Leto, Harris joins the previously cast Adria Arjona and Matt Smith. Of them, Arjona’s part has at least been revealed. She’s playing Martine Bancroft, who in the comics was the fiance of Morbius, before his change. Villain? Unknown. Crossover characters? Who knows! Chance that this movie is a ridiculous mess that people embrace despite its faults? We’ll settle at about 75%, but that could change depending on the wind.
It’s crazy to think Morbius is tentatively slated to release next summer. There’s been very few tidbits about this one, before the last two days. That could be just a tight production, as odd as it seems. Then again, everyone feared the worst about Venom and it took on a strange life of it’s own. Once more news breaks though, we’ll be sure to sink our teeth into it. Expect more vampire puns in the future, regardless of how things turn out.
UPDATE (7pm CST): And just like that, another name has joined Morbius! Variety dropped the exclusive tonight, that none other than Tyrese (Gibson) has up and joined production. Who’s he playing? No one knows. Really. The Fast & Furious series co-star could be playing a villain, a hero or just one scene as someone to play a bigger part in a sequel. All we know is that we at least have kept one of our above promises. More on this as it develops.
