A new legend from Marvel will rise. Jared Leto returns to the realm of superhero movies with Sony’s Marvel anti-hero film, Morbius!
The upcoming movie follows the story of Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Michael Morbius, who suffers from a rare blood disease. Determined to cure not only himself but other people like him, Morbius tests a dangerous cure involving bats on himself. This causes him to develop vampiric superhuman abilities– but also a thirst for blood.
Before Morbius lands in Philippine theaters this March 30, we’ve rounded up some interesting facts about the film and character that you might not know yet! Check them out below:
1. Vampires were prohibited to appear in comics
The Comics Code Authority was formed in the 1950s to regulate content in comic books. They initially banned vampires in comic books along with other supernatural beings. In 1971, they finally eased this restriction which resulted in the creation of Morbius by Marvel’s Roy Thomas and Gil Kane.
2. Morbius first fought a six-armed Spider-Man
Morbius The Living Vampire debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #101, during a time when Peter Parker faced a bizarre dilemma. Wanting to have a normal life with Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker drank a potion that was supposed to get rid of his spider powers, but instead, he grew two more pairs of arms. It was during this time that the friendly neighborhood superhero crossed paths with Morbius, who wants to feed on Peter’s blood.
3. Morbius once worked for Doctor Strange
Fresh from his appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange is set to return to the big screen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Speaking of the Sorcerer Supreme, Morbius was once part of The Midnight Sons, a team of heroes with mystical powers who were gathered by Dr. Strange to protect Earth from the Mother of Demons, Lilith, and her children, the Lilin.
4. From a DC villain to Marvel antihero
Before Tom Hardy landed the role of Edward Brock in Venom, he played Bane in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. But Hardy isn’t the only actor to make such a switch in Sony’s Marvel universe. Before Morbius, Jared Leto played the Joker in DCEU’s Suicide Squad and Justice League.
5. Morbius joins Sony Pictures’ universe of Marvel characters
Before Disney got to own Marvel Studios, some of its characters have already been sold to Sony in 1998, long before the boom of superhero movies. After sharing Spider-Man with Marvel Studios for the MCU, Sony has also started growing its own movie universe of Marvel characters, which includes Venom, Carnage, the Vulture, and Morbius. Since Spider-Man: No Way Home, more opportunities have opened up to bring together these characters on the big screen.
Don’t miss Morbius on the big screen! Buy your tickets here and enjoy a more convenient cinema experience on your next trip to the movie theaters!
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Sources:
1. “A Brief History of Vampires in Comics” by Jessica Plumber for Book Riot
2. Morbius The Living Vampire, Marvel.com
3. “Who Owns The Movie Rights To Marvel Characters: A Comprehensive Guide” by Ben Pearson for Slashfilm
4. Midnight Sons, Marvel.com
