Jared Leto Set to Star in Spider-Man Spin-off As Morbius, The Living Vampire
Creature of the Night
It’s a great time to be Jared Leto. Not too long ago it was announced he would star in his own Joker film. An exciting surprise for DC fans. Well, leave it to Jared Leto to want to excite every comic fan. The actor is now joining the Marvel Universe. Jared Leto is set to star as Morbius, the Living Vampire in a Spider-Man spin-off film directed by Daniel Espinosa.
Exciting news. Morbius isn’t exactly the most famous anti-hero in Spider-Man’s Rogues Gallery. But he is certainly unique among superheroes on the shelves. The only previous “comic book vampire films” were the Blade trilogy. One of the best Marvelfranchises ever. Fans won’t mind if Bladecame back to life, but Morbius is a good start. Espinosa is the director behind Life and Safe House, two solid action films with interesting twists. With the horror elements in Life, it will be interesting to see what kind of touch he brings to Morbius. The film will also be written by Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama. The team behind the Netflix Lost in Space series.
As for that “living vampire,” Leto is an intriguing choice. With a prominent bone structure, pale skin, and an overall “creepy” factor Jared Leto should make the perfect vampire, but Morbius? Will the most controversial Joker in the history of the character really pull off the Living Vampire? Definitely.
Death Come to Life
It’s safe to assume that if Morbius is starring in his own franchise he’ll be more of an anti-hero than a villain. The approach will probably amplify the horror without making the character an outright good guy. He is technically a vampire, after all. Created in 1971, Dr. Michael Morbius was a successful biochemist who sought to cure his own rare blood disease. As is the case with most comic stories, the exact opposite happened. The doctor cursed himself with a taste for blood along with the super-strength, the power of flight, and the ability to hypnotize. A condition hilariously referred to as “pseudo-vampirism.”
Leto’s performance as the Joker was divisive, but that wasn’t his fault. The character’s role and dialogue just didn’t fit, a problem with Suicide Squad and not its actors. Playing odd and strange characters is Leto’s forte, a talent he brings to every one his projects. A Greek biochemist-turned-vampire sounds like a role he was born to play.
Any longtime Marvel or Spider-Man fan will recognize Morbius from his many appearances in video games, countless comics, and the various animated series. Like the recently announced Mysterio, he’s one of the most famous Spider-Man villains to never appear in a live-action format. A shame considering just how strangely awesome Morbius, the Living Vampire can be. Now, the character will get his very own film with star Jared Leto. With Venom, Spider-Man: Far From Home and this Morbius film, it’s a great time to be a Spider-Man fan.
Do you think Jared Leto can pull-off Morbius, the Living Vampire? Let us know!
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