Movies are coming out in abundance this year (2021), but next year (2022) is still holding some rather impressive cards. 2022 will see the story of Doctor Michael Morbius hit the big screen, and Sony and Marvel fans can finally see this character unfold before their eyes. 

Today (November 2nd, 2021) sees the release of the official trailer for Morbius, a film centred on a very interesting and never-before-seen character who may impress audiences in the wake of its debut. 

Jared Leto, lead singer for 30 Seconds to Mars and star of Suicide Squad (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), will be taking on the role of Dr. Morbius, a man plagued with a rare blood disorder who is determined to create a cure, but ends up creating something sinister instead. 

Many fans of not only the comics but of cinema itself are in two minds about the casting for this movie. Leto’s Joker in Suicide Squad went down rather badly, as his villain boasted a more ‘gangster’ style than many were used to, making his role a very small one within the movie. 

However, his performance in Blade Runner 2049 as Niander Wallace was brilliant, and proved that with a little direction, he can indeed pull off a serious role with some grace. 

Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Morbius follows antihero Dr. Michael Morbius, a man burdened with a rare blood disease, who attempts to save not only himself, but any others who suffer with the same ailment he does. 

After attempting something others consider desperate, his plan seems to pay off, until a terrifying darkness is let loose from inside him. Will Morbius’ good nature win, or will he be dragged into the web of his mysterious new urges? 

The trailer for Morbius showcases so much from the upcoming movie, from characters to special effects, and it definitely gives Leto’s character a chance to shine. Morbius is a hero, a doctor, but this thing inside him is demon-like in nature, and appears to challenge the Doctor’s good inhibitions. 

We see so many interesting shots and, most of all, we see the vampiric creature that is Morbius; but that isn’t even the best of it. We’re shown what abilities Morbius gained after his experiment; things such as sonar, heightened strength and hearing, and what seems to be flight. 

Not only have we been treated to a trailer, a behind the scenes look at Morbius has also been released, with Leto himself speaking about the physicality of the role, his excitement about doing something “transformational”, and his joy at playing a character who has never been on the big screen before. 

Leto ends the featurette by stating that this movie poses a “web of opportunity", and he has a smile on his face as he does so. 

This comment about a “web” could very well be a link to the Spider-Verse, as Michael Keaton’s Vulture, seen first in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), has a role within Morbius. He is seen for only a moment in the trailer, as he tells Morbius that the two of them should “stay in touch”. 

This is a very exciting premise to contend with, especially with films such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse battling with timelines and multiverses, anything could happen in the confines of Morbius. 

Sony could be on the brink of something exceptional here, as Morbius is a very interesting character; he may appear to be a vampire, but it seems as though he is more on the lines of a genetic experiment gone wrong, much like Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). 

Other cast members, along with Leto, include Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Tyrese Gibson (Fast and Furious franchise), and Jared Harris (The Crown). 

Morbius will be in cinemas on January 28th, 2022. 

Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal

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