Morbius (film)

## Sony's Spider-Man Universe

*"We have to push the boundaries, take the risks. Without that, there is no science. No medicine. No breakthroughs at all."*
―Michael Morbius to Martine Bancroft
***Morbius*** is a 2022 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is the third installment in the Sony's Spider-Man Universe. The film was released in the United States on April 1, 2022, and it was re-released on June 3, 2022.

The film is directed by Daniel Espinosa and stars Jared Leto as Michael Morbius, Matt Smith as Milo, Adria Arjona as Martine Bancroft, Jared Harris as Emil Nicholas, Al Madrigal as Alberto Rodriguez, and Tyrese Gibson as Simon Stroud.

## Synopsis

*Morbius* tells the story of Michael Morbius, a scientist who, in trying to find a cure for a rare blood disease, accidentally transforms himself into a living vampire who, though disgusted by his own bloodlust, chooses to accept his fate and prey upon criminals he deems unworthy of life.

## Plot

In a private hospital based in Greece, a young Michael Morbius meets Lucien, a kid sharing the same blood illness as Morbius and who Morbius names Milo. Fixing Milo's blood pump, hospital director and adoptive father Emil Nicholas applies Morbius to a medical school in New York.

Twenty-five years later, doctor Micheal Morbius declines a Nobel Prize for developing synthetic blood. He returns to his laboratory, where colleague Martine Bancroft discovers the fact that Morbius had captured multiple Costa Rican vampire bats to cure his condition. Morbius later informs Nicholas and Milo of his illegal experiment and is funded by his surrogate brother, now able to develop a cure on international waters aboard the LCV Murnau. Able to make one, he tests it for upon himself, experiencing extraordinary and strange side effects. Like a vampire, Morbius attacks the crew aboard the private mercenary vessel, including Bancroft. Regaining sense, he erases all CCTV footage when having seen the horrors he caused, jumping off the ship before contacting the authorities.

While Morbius experiments his vampire-esque capabilities after checking on a hospitalized Bancroft, FBI agents Simon Stroud and Alberto Rodriguez investigate Morbius' victims and deduce his involvement. Milo learns that Morbius is cured, but becomes furious when Morbius refuses to cure him as well. Milo thus visits Morbius' laboratory, meeting a bloodthirsty Morbius. Milo gives him a blood bag in time and demands the cure. Morbius, back to normal, replies he simply cannot for Milo's own good. Still begging for the cure, Morbius yells at him to get out.

After the agents interviewed Bancroft, a nurse gets her blood sucked, with Morbius seeing the aftermath of the incident the next day when visiting his patient Anna. He rushes to exit the hospital, confronted by the agents. They are thwarted by Morbius' powers after trying to convict him, and he escapes to the roof of the building, halted by Stroud. He is then held prisoner at the Manhattan Detention Complex, where he writes about his incoming limit to artificial blood. In prison, Morbius is met by Milo posing as his lawyer, who promises to use his connections to have him freed. After Milo leaves without his cane, Morbius realizes he had taken the cure and most likely killed the nurse, and escapes from prison to confront him, hearing him kill a man who mocked Morbius for his original disability. Admitting he killed the nurse, but only due to the same bloodlust that caused Morbius to kill the ship's crew, Milo asks Morbius to join him in embracing their truer selves and live as vampires, before killing a group of police officers attempting to arrest Morbius and leaving.

After Morbius tells Bancroft about Milo's involvement and to distance herself from him, the FBI releases footage of Milo's murdering. Viewing it on a news program, Nicholas meets Milo in his apartment, pleading him to quit. Angered, also because of his assumption of Morbius being Nicholas' supposed "favorite", Milo wounds him and tells him to call Morbius. As Morbius arrives to see his caretaker's death, Milo took Martine and forces her to call Morbius. Morbius travels to her location, sharing a last kiss before feeding on her blood. Morbius the confronts a challenging Milo, confronting in battle. After crashing underground, Morbius has his swarm of bats withhold Milo as Morbius kills him with a spear. Morbius leaves as soon as the authorities arrive as Martine awakens.

After an incident in another universe, people, such as Adrian Toomes, are transported to another. Toomes appears in an empty cell, being released immediately. He later meets Morbius, wanting to form a team against the cause of this interdimensional mess he thinks is Spider-Man, to which Morbius applies to.

## Cast

* Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius
	+ Charlie Shotwell as Young Michael Morbius
* Matt Smith as Milo
	+ Joseph Esson as Young Milo
* Adria Arjona as Dr. Martine Bancroft
* Jared Harris as Dr. Emil Nicholas
* Al Madrigal as Agent Alberto Rodriguez
* Tyrese Gibson as Agent Simon Stroud
* Corey Johnson as Mr. Fox
* Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes/Vulture (mid & post-credits scenes)
* Zaris-Angel Hator as Anna
* Clara Rosager as Jean
* Joanna Burnett as Kristen Sutton
* Archie Renaux as Bobby
* Jojo Macari as Gabriel
* Abraham Popoola as Ryan
* Chris Ryman as Dyson
* Gloria Santillana as Martine Bancroft's Mother (deleted scene)

## Appearances

### Locations

* Earth
	+ New York City, New York
		- Horizon Labs
		- Manhattan Detention Complex
		- *Oriole*
	+ Greece
	+ Costa Rica
		- Cerro de la Muerte
	+ San Francisco (mentioned)
	+ Afghanistan (mentioned)
	+ Panama (flag)
* Multiverse (rift)
	+ Earth-199999 (indirectly mentioned)

### Events

* Chase of Michael Morbius
	+ Massacare of LCV Murnau
	+ Murder of Kristen Sutton
	+ Attack on Michael Morbius
	+ Escape from Manhattan Detention Complex
	+ Assassination of Emil Nicholas
	+ Assassination of Martine Bancroft
	+ Duel of New York City
* Battle at the Life Foundation Headquarters (indirectly mentioned)

### Items

* Artificial Blood
* Vulture's Exo-Suit (post-credits scene)
* Simon Stroud's High-Tech Arm (deleted scene)
* Spider-Man Suit (graffiti; deleted scene)
* *Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular* (poster)
* *Frozen* (poster)
* *The Lion King* (poster)

### Sentient Species

* Humans
	+ Living Vampires
* Symbiotes (mentioned)

### Creatures

* Spiders
* Bats
	+ Vampire Bats
* Cats
	+ Martine Bancroft's Cat
* Mice

### Organizations

* FBI
* Kraven Pastries
* *The Daily Bugle*
* New York City Police Department
* Sinister Six
* Basilisk Menswear (posters)
* Brooklyn Express (newspaper)
* Oscorp (deleted scene)
* Nobel Prize (mentioned)
* Hamilton Watch Company (poster)
* United States Coast Guard (mentioned)

### Mentioned

* Spider-Man
* Venom
* Rhino
* Black Cat
* Chameleon
* Spider-Man (graffiti; deleted scene)
* Pi
* Dracula
* *Cosmopolitan*
* Monster Energy

## Production

After appearing in a deleted scene from *Blade*, Morbius was intended to have a larger role in the sequel. However, this never happened due to *Blade* director Stephen Norrington (who portrayed the character in the deleted scene) departing from the film.

In May 2000, Artisan Entertainment signed a deal with Marvel Studios to deliver Marvel Movies based on various Marvel Comics characters, including Morbius.

In 5 July 2017, Jon Watts expressed interest in using Blade, Chameleon and Morbius in Spider-Man: Homecoming's sequel, but this never went to plan. Chameleon was the only character to appear in the film.

In November 2017, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that a Morbius film adaptation was finally confirmed to be in the works, this time at Sony, with Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama penning the script. It was confirmed to be set in the same continuity as *Venom*.

In April 2018, Sony was reportedly looking for Antoine Fuqua to direct the film, and Fuqua was interested in directing. He said it was something close to what he would get excited about.

In June 2018, Variety reported that Jared Leto was cast in the title role and that Daniel Espinosa was directing. it was also confirmed that Matt Tolmach, Avi Arad and Lucas Foster were involved.

In September 2018, Avi Arad discussed about the excitement for producing this film, saying that a "healer that becomes a killer, and how do you deal with [that?]". Around then, Matt Tolmach confirmed they had planned to begin filming very soon. He also added that Leto would bring the same intensity to the character that he did with his portrayal of Joker in the DCEU.

In October 2018, Sony planned to film in Atlanta, but still hadn't set a release date.

By December 2018, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Adria Arjona was in negotiations to star as the female lead Martine Bancroft.

In January 2019, Variety reported Matt Smith would have a role in the film, after previously declining other roles in superhero movies.

In March 2019, Leto confirmed that production had started. It was confirmed that it had began under the working title *Plasma*. In that month, Jared Harris and Tyrese Gibson joined the cast as Morbius' Mentor and Simon Stroud, while Smith's role was initially reported to be the villain Loxias Crown (later revealed to actually be the villain Milo Morbius).

Around that time, Gibson confirmed his role and revealed he had signed on to do a 3 picture deal.

Furthermore, Filming was taking place in Manchester and New York.

In May 2019, it was confirmed that Al Madrigal would be playing Simon Stroud's partner, Alberto Rodriguez.. During June of that year, Matt Smith revealed that he was encouraged by Karen Gillan to portray Milo Morbius..

In June 2019 Amy Pascal confirmed filming had wrapped for the movie.. By October of that year Jon Ekstrand was confirmed to be composing the film.

On January 13, 2020, the official teaser for *Morbius* had been released, and confirmed several things, such as: Michael Keaton being in the film and that Charlie Shotwell and Joseph Esson would portray a young Michael and Milo Morbius respectively.

## Music

* *Morbius (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)*

## Videos

### Trailers

MORBIUS - Teaser TrailerMORBIUS - Official Trailer (HD)MORBIUS - Final Trailer (HD)MORBIUS - Retro Trailer - Now on DigitalMorbius 4DX 360VR Trailer
### TV Spots

MORBIUS- "Beginnings"MORBIUS- "Monster"MORBIUS- "World"MORBIUS- "The Future"MORBIUS- "Save"MORBIUS- "Discover"MORBIUS- "Discover"-2MORBIUS- "Mysterious"MORBIUS- "Alive"MORBIUS- "Feel"MORBIUS- "Radar"-2MORBIUS- "Risks"MORBIUS- "Arrives"MORBIUS- "Kill"-2MORBIUS- "Impressive"MORBIUS- "Radar"MORBIUS- "Show"MORBIUS- "Ready"MORBIUS- "Tickets Now Available"MORBIUS – Is Von Miller Superhuman?MORBIUS - The Mike Relm Remix - Now on DigitalMorbius l Wish I KnewMorbius l Destroy itMORBIUS invade el metro de Madrid. ¡Ya en cines!Fang-out with -Morbius. Buy-Rent the movie now.Another fact- Jared Leto is Marvel legend Morbius. Buy-Rent the movie tonight. -EarlyDigitalRelease
### Clips

MORBIUS - First 10 Minutes - Now on DigitalMORBIUS Exclusive Scene - The TransformationMORBIUS Clip - Feel GoodMORBIUS Clip - CurseMORBIUS Clip - FlightRARE Footage of MATT SMITH Dancing! - MORBIUS
### Featurettes

MORBIUS - Special Features Preview - Now on DigitalMORBIUS Bloopers – It’s Not That Complicated - Now on DigitalCharacters From Comic To Movie - MORBIUS - Sony Pictures Entertainment IndiaJourney To Find A Cure - MORBIUS - Sony Pictures Entertainment IndiaBecoming MORBIUS - Morbius (2022) - Sony Pictures Entertainment IndiaThe Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Morbius (2022)Michael vs. Milo - A Battle Between Best friends - Morbius (2022)MORBIUS Vignette - Who Is Morbius?MORBIUS Vignette - UniverseMORBIUS Vignette - The Lore of MorbiusMORBIUS Vignette - TransformationHow Morbius Created a Fighting Style for the Living VampireMorbius- Creating the Claw of the Living Vampire - Time-lapse TransformationMorbius - 2022 - Featurette Preview “Monster Movie Expert Matthew Butler” HDMorbius - 2022 - Featurette Preview “Human Form vs Monster Form”
### Others

MORBIUS - Official Japan Trailer 2021 from Tokyo Comic ConMORBIUS - Cast Q&AMORBIUS Travel Vlog - Mexico CityMORBIUS Travel Vlog - BerlinMORBIUS Travel Vlog - ParisMORBIUS Travel Vlog - MadridMORBIUS Travel Vlog - LondonMORBIUS Travel Vlog - NYC-LAMORBIUS - Stain Removal with Jared LetoGood MorbiusJared Leto wants to see Morbius battle Spider-ManJared Leto on His MORBIUS Transformation and a Possible Sequel¡Entrevisté a Matt Smith! Habla sobre Morbius y House of the Dragon
## Trivia

* Jared Leto and Marvel have acknowledged the famous meme "It's Morbin' Time", made after the release of the film:
	+ Jared Leto shared a video on Twitter where he is reading a script titled: "*Morbius 2: It's Morbin' Time*".
	+ Marvel Entertainment uploaded a video to celebrate Halloween, where Morbius (from the comics) is the DJ of the Halloween party and says "It's Morbin' Time!"

## References

The Sony's Spider-Man Universe Wiki has a collection of images and media related to **Morbius (film)**.

1. ↑ Jon Ekstrand to Score Daniel Espinosa's *Morbius*
2. ↑ *Morbius* Bombed - But It's Returning To Theaters After Marvel Memes
3. ↑ Here's How Spider-Man, Venom And The Multiverse Will Factor Into Jared Leto's Morbius Movie
4. ↑ *Morbius* Director Daniel Espinosa Explains (SPOILER) in the Post-Credits Scene and Future Team-Ups
5. ↑ Breaking Down the Deleted *Blade* Ending Featuring Morbius and Why We Never Got That Sequel
6. ↑ Artisan deal a real Marvel
7. ↑ What Spider-Man: Homecoming's Director Thinks of Using Morbius & Blade
8. ↑ "Morbius (2022 film) on Sony Pictures Releasing". Filmy Rating. Retrieved Nov 9, 2021.
9. ↑ ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff: Morbius the Living Vampire Movie in the Works With ‘Power Rangers’ Writers
10. ↑ Jared Leto to Star in ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff ‘Morbius’ From Director Daniel Espinosa
11. ↑ Why Sony is Excited About The Morbius Movie
12. ↑ 'Morbius' Producers Praise Star Jared Leto
13. ↑ UPDATE: JARED LETO’S MARVEL MOVIE ‘MORBIUS’ EYES SHOOT IN ATLANTA THIS FALL/WINTER
14. ↑ ‘Morbius’: Adria Arjona in Early Talks to Join Jared Leto
15. ↑ Matt Smith to Star With Jared Leto in Marvel Spinoff ‘Morbius’ (EXCLUSIVE)
16. ↑ Jared Leto on Twitter
17. ↑ 'Morbius The Living Vampire' Working Title Revealed
18. ↑ Jared Harris Joins Jared Leto In Sony’s ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff ‘Morbius’
19. ↑ Tyrese Gibson Joins Jared Leto in Marvel Spinoff ‘Morbius’ (EXCLUSIVE)
20. ↑ Tyrese Gibson in Talks to Join Jared Leto in Spider-Man Spinoff ‘Morbius’
21. ↑ Tyrese Gibson on Instagram
22. ↑ Matt Smith leaves ‘The Crown’ behind for Charles Manson and Robert Mapplethorpe
23. ↑ Tyrese Gibson on Instagram
24. ↑ Matt Smith leaves ‘The Crown’ behind for Charles Manson and Robert Mapplethorpe
25. ↑ Future Spider-Man Spinoff Movies Will Stand On Their Own
26. ↑ Jon Ekstrand to Score Daniel Espinosa’s ‘Morbius’
27. ↑ Jared Leto on Twitter
28. ↑ Marvel Entertainment on YouTube

## External Links

* Morbius (film) on Wikipedia
* Morbius (film) on IMDb
* Morbius (film) on X
* Morbius (film) on Facebook
* Morbius (film) on Instagram
* Morbius (film) on Apple TV
* Morbius (film) on Sony Pictures
* Morbius (film) on Marvel Database