While the MCU is the undisputed king of shared universes, Sony Pictures is making a strong case for second place. 2018's VENOM while not critically successful, raked in over $850 million and the sequel is due out later this year. Sony was quick to jump on other Spider-Man properties with a movie based on Kraven The Hunter in development and a plethora of other Spidey baddies.
One of those villains in particular was the character Morbius, known in the comics as Morbius The Living Vampire. Although the film has been in development since 2017, the success of VENOM fast tracked the picture and Oscar winner Jared Leto was cast in the lead role. Over the weekend, a photo of Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius leaked online. The results were sufficiently terrifying and now we finally have our first official trailer for the film courtesy of Sony.
I don't know about you guys but I'm cautiously optimistic about MORBIUS. The trailer looks good (and holy crap was that Michael Keaton as Vulture at the end???)however I'm not really sold on Daniel Espinosa as a director. His previous credits include LIFE, SAFE HOUSE, and CHILD 44 – not exactly stellar motion pictures. In addition screenwriters Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless have the dubious distinction of writing GODS OF EGYPT and THE LAST WITCH HUNTER, not exactly MARRIAGE STORY caliber scripts.
For those of you unfamiliar with the character Morbius, the comic follows the story of Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist suffering from a rare blood disease. When Morbius tries to cure himself he inadvertently gives himself a form of vampirism. While the "cure" gives him increased speed and strength it also causes an insatiable lust for blood. Although the character began as a Spidey villain, he's since evolved into a tragic anti-hero. The part sounds perfectly suited for Leto who always brings a level of pathos and gravitas to his roles. Here's hoping he succeeds in the comicbook landscape better this time around than he did in SUICIDE SQUAD.
MORBIUS starring Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Tyrese Gibson, and Jared Harris bites its way into theaters July 31, 2020.