Despite appearing as both an antagonist and an antihero, Morbius director Daniel Espinosa explained why Jared Leto’s Living Vampire is not actually a villain.
“Morbius is searching for goodness — the cure for a disease. He’s going to find it, disregarding the cost on himself or on society,” Espinosa said in a statement from Sony Pictures. “And in his search for goodness, he transforms into something he detests. He has to accept the ugliness he has within him, and that there’s something beautiful about it. It will be his strength, what makes him unique.”
Espinosa further explained that it’s the duality of Morbius that makes audiences compelled by him. “Michael Morbius is one of the most altruistic characters of the Marvel Universe,” he said. “He’s one of the few that really believes in good. This good man has a horrible disease, and in his trials to save himself and the people that he cares for, he turns into a monster.”
While Morbius might not be a villain, according to Espinosa, he doesn’t have the traditional superhero story by any means, especially in terms of accepting his newfound powers. “When Morbius discovers his inner beast, he becomes afraid of it — and because he’s afraid, he’s also afraid of his powers. He’s afraid that they will take over and change him, so he’s constantly resisting them,” said Espinosa. “To become the hero, he has to accept his fate: Morbius’s journey is to accept that he will still remain the person that he is, but he has to harness these powers.”
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While plot details regarding Morbius have been kept under wraps, the film will follow Dr. Michael Morbius, portrayed by Leto, who gives himself transgenic vampirism in an attempt to cure his rare blood disease. Not only does this give him a taste for blood, but superhuman abilities as well, such as heightened senses, super speed and flight. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gil Kane, Morbius debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #101, published by Marvel Comics in October 1971. While first appearing as an enemy of Spider-Man, Morbius later evolved into more of an antihero and was also an adversary of the vampire hunter Blade in other comics.
Morbius was originally meant to hit theaters July 10, 2020, though its release was delayed multiple times due in part to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The film marks the third entry in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, with the first two being Venom and its sequel, Let There Be Carnage. The first trailer for Morbius was released nearly two years ago, which teased a possible crossover with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man, especially with the appearance of Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes/Vulture.
Morbius arrives in theaters on April 1.
Source: Sony Pictures
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