Morbius star Jared Leto explains the lore behind the Living Vampire in a new featurette.
Released by Sony Pictures Entertainment, the featurette shows off new footage from the upcoming film. It also sees Leto explain a bit of history behind his character, Morbius, who first appeared as a villain in The Amazing Spider-Man in 1971 and "evolved into more of an antihero" in later comics. "For years before that, Marvel was actually forbidden from using characters considered more on the supernatural side," Leto said. "So, it was a really big deal when Morbius finally made his debut. He was part of a much darker turn within Marvel, one that fortunately fans fully embraced. After all, everyone loves a good monster story. There's something about the character that stoked people's imaginations and really can grab a hold of you. It certainly did with me."
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 was also an adversary of the vampire hunter Blade in other comics.
For decades prior to the debut of Morbius, both Marvel Comics and DC Comics were forbidden from using classic horror and supernatural tropes and creatures, like werewolves and vampires, in their comics. This was due to regulations created by the Comics Code Authority (CCA), which was formed in 1954 following moral hysteria over the depiction of violence, gore and sexually explicit themes in crime and horror comics. However, the CCA's Comics Code was revised in 1971, the same year Morbius first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man, and Marvel would go on to abandon the CCA altogether in the early 2000s.
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.
Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Morbius arrives in theaters on April 1.
Source: YouTube