Sony's seven times delayed anti-hero movie, Morbius, is all set to release in April. The film is another encounter within Sony's Spider-Man universe, formally named the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (SPUMC). The movie, which was initially set for release two years ago on July 10, 2020, has kept MCU and the Spider-verse fans on edge. After being delayed because of the pandemic and several other factors, the Marvel madness fans will finally be able to see the life of the infamous anti-hero.
After his transformation in the previous year's House of Gucci, Jared Leto plays the role of the scientist/living vampire, Michael Morbius. The movie is directed by Daniel Espinosa and written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Though set in New York City, Morbius was filmed in Manchester's Northern Quarter in February 2019. With that, here is everything else we know about the film before its anticipated release.
The Plot
Morbius is the origin story of one of the villains in Spider-Man's universe. Dr. Michael Morbius, struggling to find the cure for a blood disease, runs an experiment. The experiment goes wrong, causing Dr. Morbius to become a living vampire. MCU fans are already acquainted with this much information. However, Jared Leto's Morbius will show the character's battle with himself as he tries to suppress his thirst for blood. It must be noted that though Morbius is sickened by his vampirism, he chooses to attack criminals who he believes are consuming the world and don't deserve to live. Morbius had to run away from Agent Simon Shroud in his own fight, who was chasing the anti-hero. Sony has high hopes for their comic-inspired movie.
Here's the official synopsis:
"One of the most compelling and conflicted characters in Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters comes to the big screen as Oscar winner Jared Leto transforms into the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius. Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr. Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. While at first it seems to be a radical success, the darkness inside him is unleashed. Will good override evil – or will Morbius succumb to his mysterious new urges?"
The Cast
After not quite a successful portrayal of Joker in 2016's Suicide Squad, the Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto wears the vampiric cloak of Morbius. The star, famous for his method acting and creepy behind-the-scenes tales, is all set to mesmerize the Marvel/comic fans. Posing as Morbius's best friend turned enemy, Matt Smith will be playing the role of Loxias Crown. Crown is also the antagonist in the upcoming movie. Other cast members include Tyrese Gibson, who appears as Agent Simon Stoud, Adria Arjona, who plays the role of Morbius's fiancée, and Jared Harris as Morbius's mentor.
Several voices suggest that Sony's long-awaited movie will host cameos of popular characters, blending Sony's Spider-verse with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spider-Man: Homecoming villain Vulture, played by Michael Keaton, will return. Morbius's director, Daniel Espinosa, in a recent interview, confirmed that the film will also feature a Spider-Man. Whether it will be a Spider-Man we are aware of or not, the movie will reveal all.
Morbius's Connection to the MCU
The fans do know that Morbius is one of the villains in Spider-Man and that it is not entirely an antagonist. Morbius is often described as an anti-hero, someone with both good and bad qualities. But, how is Morbius connected to the MCU? Technically, Morbius is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is part of Sony's franchise of Marvel, i.e., the Sony/Marvel Universe, that also hosts another antihero, Venom.
The post-credit scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage brings Sony's Spider-Verse dangerously close to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The scene shows Eddie (Tom Hardy) and Venom watching TV when Venom tells Eddie about the multiverse. While both are talking, the room shifts to another universe where we see Peter Parker on the news. What brings Sony and MCU closer is the presence of Tom Holland as Peter Parker, suggesting that Sony's characters indeed have some -- if not a lot -- to do with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Also, Michael Keaton's cameo in Morbius indicates a lot of surprises for Marvel fans in the near future.
Release Date
Jared Leto's living vampire will finally hit the silver screen on April 1, 2022. The current date is nearly two years later than the original release date for Morbius was -- July 10, 2020. The movie will be headed to popular streaming websites soon after its theatrical release. A deal signed between Sony Pictures and Netflix gave the streaming site exclusive rights to Sony's 2022 films.