Venom producers Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad have confirmed that Sony is currently working on the Morbius film. This is intended to be the next Spider-Man spinoff to release after Venom.
The upcoming
Venom movie is intended to be the launch of a new superhero shared universe centered around Spider-Man villains. The film is expected to lay a strong foundation for the rest of the franchise, with current predictions suggesting
it will break Gravity's October box office record. The next film,
Morbius, is gradually taking shape; there have been a number of recent rumors about key characters, and the latest reports have suggested that
production will begin in November.
Speaking to
ComicBook as part of a press tour ahead of
Venom's release, Tolmach and Arad confirmed that production on
Morbius will begin soon. "
We’re obviously working on Morbius now. That’s sort of next up for us."
Morbius will star Jared Leto as the titular antihero, and the producers stressed that they're particularly excited to see his portrayal. Tolmach said that he expects "awesomeness" from Leto, who's well-known among superhero fans for his method acting in Suicide Squad. It seems that Leto absolutely loves the character of Morbius, a healer who is transformed into a monster. According to Tolmach, the movie should give Leto an opportunity to demonstrate "a similar level of intensity and charisma and devotion to the character."
Leto's schedule is certainly going to be a busy one, given the Joker is expected to be a major figure in the future of the DC movie universe. Fortunately for Sony, Warner Bros. is filming
Birds of Prey ahead of
Suicide Squad 2, and it doesn't look as though the Joker will figure in that movie at all.
A leaked synopsis for Birds of Prey has suggested that Harley Quinn has broken up with the Joker and headed to Gotham.
It looks as though
Morbius will be pretty much comic-book-accurate. The female lead is reportedly
Martine Bancroft, Morbius's fiancée in the comics. Presuming this turns into a new franchise in its own rights, Bancroft could well prove to be a major figure down the line; she was brainwashed into joining a vampiric cult and betrayed Morbius to them. The villain of the film appears to be
Emil Nikos, who was Morbius's best friend - and first victim - in the comics. Although Leto is confirmed as the star, no further casting details have yet been announced. Presumably it won't be long until details begin to emerge, though, if the production really is due to begin filming in November.
