Sony is definitely going for A-list talent for their “Spider-Man” spin-off universe, dubbed the Spider-Verse. First, the studio nabbed Tom Hardy for the “Venom” spin-off film that will be coming to theaters later this year. Now, it appears that Jared Leto is joining the Spider-Verse and he’s playing one of the Marvel Universe’s oddest creations.
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Variety is reporting that Leto has signed on to star in the film “Morbius the Living Vampire” for Sony’s Spider-Verse. Now, if you’re wondering what a vampire has to do with Spider-Man, then you’re not wrong. However, Morbius isn’t your typical vampire. Much like the characters that interact with Spider-Man, Morbius was created when a scientist tried to cure himself of a rare blood disease. And since this is comic books, instead of dying, he is gifted powers and a superhero name. Morbius is given vampire-like powers and has battled Spider-Man from time to time before becoming a bit of an anti-hero himself.
Filmmaker Daniel Espinosa is attached to helm the superhero flick. Espinosa got his start in his native country of Sweden, but has since become a blockbuster filmmaker in Hollywood, directing films like “Safe House” and last year’s “Life.”
Leto is no stranger to superhero films. The actor recently took up the role of the Joker in “Suicide Squad,” and to say his performance was controversial is an understatement. Since then, he starred as the antagonist in Denis Villeneuve’s “Blade Runner 2049” and was most recently seen in the Netflix film “The Outsider.”
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There’s no word on a release date. ‘Morbius’ is part of several films that Sony is developing to expand their Spider-Verse, including “Nightwatch,” “Silver & Black,” and the rumored “Silk.” However, with this Leto news, ‘Morbius’ joins “Venom” as the only Spider-Verse films with any forward momentum.