This week production began on Morbius, starring Jared Leto as the title character. Based on the Spider-Man anti-hero of the same name, the film will center on Michael Morbius, a scientist who is stricken with a rare blood disorder. In order to cure himself of his disease, Morbius uses a risky treatment involving vampire bats and electroshock therapy. But when one of the treatments goes wrong, it turns him into a living vampire. While he does need blood in order to survive, Morbius has superhuman strength, the ability to fly, and a healing factor.

Following the news that Jared Harris would be joining Leto, comes two new casting bits. According to new reports, Fast and the Furious star Tyrese Gibson, Doctor Who star Matt Smith, and Pacific Rim: Uprising star Adria Arjona will be in the film. More on the report below.

THR says Gibson was one of the last roles to be filled. While details are limited, the report says the he will play “an FBI agent trying to hunt down the living vampire.” Gibson will be joined by Arjona, who will play a love interest to Morbius. Additionally, the report says that Harris will play Morbius’s mentor.

According to Variety, Smith will be playing the film’s villain. Although, it’s unclear which one it will be. However, they can confirm he will be the lead baddie. While it looks like it’s going to be another stacked cast, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Does Morbius fit into the same universe as Venom does? Can a Morbius franchise exist with such a small slate of villains? How much longer can a Spider-Man-less cinematic universe work?

It will be interesting to see how Sony moves forward with their plans to release films based on Spider-Man supporting characters and villains. But so far, it has worked out. Venom, though not a hit with critics, was a box office smash. Not only that, but Sony has already put plans for a sequel into motion.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa and written by Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama, Sony is expected to release Morbius some time in summer 2020.

[Source: THR | Variety]