Jared Leto is hoping to see Morbius fight Venom in a future film. After being delayed for over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morbius is finally set to hit theaters on April 1, 2022. Based on the Marvel character of the same name created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, the film tells the story of Michael Morbius who in an attempt to cure himself of a rare blood disease transforms himself into a vampiric monster.
Ever since the movie's first teaser trailer hit in January 2020, speculation has mounted about the film's place in the wider universe as it showed an image of the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man suit, but then showed Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes from the MCU Spider-Man films. Later trailers would connect the film to those two universes, but also the OsCorp logo from The Amazing Spider-Man films and overt references to Venom which takes place in its own separate universe from the other Spider-Man films. The movie's trailer even has a direct line referring to Venom, one where Morbius appears aware of the character's existence hinting that Venom has now become a more known figure in his universe following the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Leto was asked which other Marvel character he would like to see join up in a future project other than Spider-Man. Leto referenced Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, which likely not going to happen given the character's death in Avengers: Endgame. The other character Leto referenced was Venom, who was played by Tom Hardy in both Venom films and in the after-credit scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Leto said:
"Besides Robert Downey, Iron Man, there are so many people that that would be fantastic, but of course, Venom would be would make a lot of sense. That would be fun."
Morbius and Venom are both just one part of Sony's larger attempt to launch a cinematic universe with what they are calling Sony's Spider-Man Universe. Kraven the Hunter is gearing up production with Aaron Taylor Johnson set to play the titular character, and Dakota Johnson will play Madame Web in what is being described as the Doctor Strange of Sony's Spider-Man Universe. With characters like Calypso and Chameleon filling up the supporting cast of various films, it appears the universe is expanding in a major way even without a confirmed Spider-Man.
Venom has been a box-office smash hit for Sony Pictures, as both Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage grossed over $200 million domestically. The character is likely going to be the lynchpin of their franchise, so a crossover between Morbius and Venom is inevitable but given both characters are positioned as anti-heroes, one has to imagine the two will fight upon first meeting before teaming up. Sony could be repurposing their plans for a Sinister Six film and put Venom and Morbius on a team together. There are a host of exciting possibilities for the two characters and the franchise moving forward.
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