Thanks to Marvel, fans are getting more superhero movies than ever. More than that, studios are now trying to replicate the same formula Marvel Studios' pulled off by building up their own universes, like Sony’sSpider-ManUniverse. Because of this, movie theaters are getting more and more customers while actors likeMorbiusstar Jared Leto are getting more work in the superhero movie genre.
While some have criticized superhero films like those in theSpider-Manuniverse for destroying cinema, Leto has a different take on the matter. Leto, who’s going to star in the upcoming super/vampire filmMorbius, praised Marvel for the effect it’s had on the current cinema landscape, specifically with what it’s done for movie theaters everywhere.
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“If it wasn’t for Marvel films, I don’t even know if theaters would exist,” Leto said during an interview with Variety. “It doesn’t seem like there’s room for everyone, and that starts to become a little heartbreaking.” Leto also vocalized how excited he is to playthe titular characterMorbius, seeing how, in spite of there being many superhero reboots, his portrayal of the character will be its first live-action adaptation. “I loved that it was the very first time this character was going to be on-screen… I’ve always been interested in transformation, and this was a way to explore that territory in a big Marvel film. It was impossible to say no.”
This will be Leto’s second go-round in superhero media, as he playedthe iconic DC villain Jokerboth inSuicide SquadandZack Snyder’s Justice League. Leto received plenty of ire for both his antics behind the scenes and for his rather odd portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime inSuicide Squad, but enough time has passed that maybe fans are at a point now where they can put all of that firmly in the past. Leto has a proven track record as an actor, so seeing him play a rather obscure Marvel character could actually redeem whatever that was in 2016.
PlayingMorbiusmay be more of a unique opportunity than people are giving it credit for. Yes, it’s getting the publicity it is because it’s a Marvel property, butMorbiusis also essentially a vampire, which means there could potentially be much more material to explore here. Given that the last time Hollywood executed a popularvampire movie franchisewasn’t received well critically in the slightest, a film likeMorbiuscould be a step-up from what audiences have seen in the past from the vampire film genre.
While in theory, this could be a fresh new take on the superhero genre, fans have to caution themselves that it’s Sony who is making this. Sony does not have the best track record withthe Spider-Man charactersthey’ve put to film. While they’ve made critically acclaimed films likeSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseandSpider-Man: No Way Home, they’ve also had some stinkers likeThe Amazing Spider-Man 2andVenom. Until they’ve proven that they know what they’re doing with this universe they’re starting up, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up too high.
