Morbius might have gotten terrible reviews, but there's no denying just how fascinating the movie is for both its good and bad moments. Dialogue is haphazardly strung together, it pulls in characters from other universes without caring about plot holes, and Jared Leto and Matt Smith have two very contrasting approaches to acting. And there's a behind-the-scenes story for all of those.
The first trailer for the movie was released over two years ago and Morbius has been completed for almost as long, wrapping before No Way Home had even begun filming. So there are more fascinating facts surrounding the movie even after principal photography was completed, as the reshooting and retooling to integrate the film into the Spider-Man multiverse had a huge impact on the completed project.
Jared Leto Was Pushed Around In A Wheelchair Between Shoots
There have been several s of actors taking method acting very seriously. The most obvious examples all come from three-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis, who took method acting to the extreme when he got pneumonia from not wearing a winter coat on the set of Gangs of New York. Leto considers himself something of a method actor himself, and on the set of Morbius, according to director Daniel Espinosa, he used crutches to walk everywhere between shoots, as Michael Morbius has a rare blood disease that makes him too weak to walk.
However when walking everywhere with the use of crutches was taking too long and wasted time and money, Leto controversially agreed to be pushed around in a wheelchair. That choice was considered strange by many, as Michael never actually uses a wheelchair in the movie, and it would have had no noticeable effect on the actor's performance.
The Vulture Scenes Were Changed Because Of No Way Home
As Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) and Michael Morbius are part of two completely separate movie universes, it wouldn't have made much sense that they were in the same world before Spider-Man: No Way Home. Though it still doesn't make sense and is filled with plot holes, Morbius uses that tear in the universe caused by Doctor Strange in No Way Home to explain Adrian's arrival in the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU).
However, adding the universe tear was a last-minute change, as Espinosa explained that the original scenes with Keaton, which were shot, showed him randomly appearing in the movie without any explanation. And because of the meticulous planning of crossovers in the MCU movie, Espinosa was forced to make the adjustment.
Matt Smith Found Working With Leto "Entertaining."
Matt Smith mentioned that working with Leto was "entertaining," but more interestingly, the British actor doesn't seem to agree completely with the Morbius actor's style of method acting. Smith also explained that method acting for four months on a film set is unnecessary, but that it could be useful for a day.
It has been reported many times in the past that other actors have struggled to work with Leto because of his method acting. According to The Atlantic, the actor sent the cast and crew used condoms and live rats to his Suicide Squad co-stars. No extreme reports like that have come to light about Morbius, but it's understandable if it was a hindrance for Smith.
Leto Did His Research
Along with method acting by getting into character by using crutches and, according to Leto did extensive research for the role. As there are tons of great Morbius comic book storylines, the actor read every bit of Morbius-related material that has ever been published.
Though, it doesn't seem like that was completely necessary, as the movie only really pulls the basic principles from the comic books. The most glaring omission from the comic book is the character's theatrical black and red costume, as the character simply walks around in a hoodie in the film. But that probably wouldn't have fit with the dark tone of the cinematic adaptation.
The Director Knew The End Of Endgame While Shooting
The only movie surprise that studios kept more of a secret than No Way Home was Avengers: Endgame, which had the tough task of tying up the 20-movie Infinity Saga. There were so many theories and speculation about how it would end and who would be killed off, but Espinosa knew Tony Stark would die.
Principal photography for Morbius began before Endgame had even wrapped, and somebody told the director on set about what would become the biggest movie death ever. It must have been a stressful time for Espinosa, having to keep secrets about a movie franchise that he wasn't even working on.
Smith Asked For Karen Gillan's Advice Before Taking The Role
Karen Gillan and Smith starred together in Doctor Who, and they must have formed a close bond, as Smith asked her for advice before accepting the role of Milo in the newly released Marvel movie. Gillan knows a thing or two about starring in huge, blockbuster superhero movies, as she plays Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The former Doctor Who actress could surely have shed some light on what it's like working on such huge productions, and she only had good things to say about her experiences. She told Smith to go for it, and Smith called Gillan "a seasoned pro" in the world of Marvel movies.
Smith Was Confused By His Character
Smith itted that he was confused by his character when reading the script, and it seems like he's still not completely sure of things even after the film has wrapped. The actor explained that he wasn't sure if the character he was playing was Loxias Crown (who is a major antagonist in the comic books) or not. Audiences probably had the same response given that he's called Milo throughout the whole movie.
Almost criticizing the screenplay, Smith mentioned that the script didn't make it remotely clear, explaining that "the script I was presented with doesn't really delve into the past of him - or indeed the future." The way he describes what he read, it almost seems as if the scenes that depict Milo and Michael as children were reshoots.
Saying No To Morbius Was "Impossible"
Though he has been critically scathed for playing a comic book character in the past, Leto explained that turning down Morbius was "impossible." The reason why he had to take the role was because the character had never been depicted on-screen before, and it was a character that Leto could make his own. Given that his performance of the Joker is so criticized because it's endlessly compared to the countless other portrayals, Leto's reasoning for playing Michael Morbius is totally understandable.
However, though it's something that he couldn't turn down, Leto had a lot of demands before taking on the role. According to Variety, the actor had a huge hand in selecting the director for the film, and had a lot of control over the movie's production too.
Smith Finally Took The Role Because He Loves Vampire Movies
After struggling to understand his character, and after seeking advice from Karen Gillan, Smith finally accepted the role, but the primary reason why isn't related to any of those things. Matt Smith loves vampire movies, and he said himself that he has always been obsessed with them.
Hilariously, Smith accepted the role simply because he liked the idea of "being able to fly and kill people," which must be the most interesting and unpretentious reason why any actor has ever taken a movie role. There are tons of great vampire movies, and hearing which ones are Smith's favorites would be fascinating.
Pokemon Was A Big Influence On The Movie
Creative people find inspiration in the strangest places, and that's no more true than with Espinosa's inspirations behind the Marvel movie. The director explained that Pokemon was a huge influence on Morbius after he had watched it endlessly over the years with his daughter.
But it wasn't the narrative or creative monsters that influenced the director, but "light and colors to express those powers." Espinosa explained that the animated series impacted him when it came to the trail of purple that follows the living vampire. And though the CGI has been criticized by fans of Marvel, that purple trail really fulfills the "psychedelic experience" Espinosa was going for.
