The Debunker: Morbius in Spider-Man 4?
Posted by: Alex Zalben on January 10, 2009 at 11:48 am
Take this rumor with not just a grain of salt, but a whole salt mine, and I’ll tell you why. But first, Sam Raimi’s quote from Empire Magazine:
“I like it in the Marvel comics when Spider-Man fights Morbius,” said Raimi. “He’s really cool. A vampire! I like that combination of superhero plus supernatural.”
So let’s talk about this… Obviously, Empire is actually a reputable source that probably did talk to Sam Raimi. However, since I can’t find the article on Empire’s website, I can’t tell you what the context was. Did an interviewer say, “Do you want Morbius in Spider-Man 4?” or “What do you think of Morbius?” Was Raimi joking? Or maybe it’s an old quote that just snuck its way back into the ether.
I’d also like to point out that after Empire, the original source is MTV’s excellent Splash Page, which titled their article:
‘Spider-Man 4’ Villain Might Be ‘Morbius The Living Vampire,’ Director Sam Raimi Hints
By later in the day, on sites like the also excellent /Film, the title had become:
Sam Raimi Wants Morbius in Spider-Man 4
Which is obviously a huge leap already. I assume by the time it hit Hello! Magazine, it had turned into:
Director Sam Raimi to Marry Lindsay Lohan
But I digress. Let’s assume for a moment that a reporter asked Raimi about villains for Spider-Man 4, Raimi honestly answered, and wants Morbius, the Living Vampire in his big budget action spectacular. Certainly, this would fit into Raimi’s fetish for smaller, more complex villains. And, as has been pointed out elsewhere, despite his supernatural trappings, Morbius is a science villain, having turned himself into a blood-sucker with the aid of secret formula (nineteen herbs and spices, I hear).
So in that sense, yes, Morbius does fit into the Spidey movie universe. And, lest we forget, Raimi also loves horror, the supernatural, and cheese-ball villains.
That leads us to the conclusion that it is entirely possible Raimi might like the idea of Morbius in a Spider-Man movie. But at the end of the day, it will never, ever happen. Sony desperately needs Spider-Man. With Bond, it’s the only good thing it has going. Despite the gigantic box office for Spider-Man 3, Raimi effed up, and they all know it*.
It comes down to this: Sony is not going to risk the safety of their company on a movie that could essentially be called Spider-Man vs. Vampires. They’ll be laughed out of Hollywood.
Last but not least, remember that Spider-Man 4 and 5 are a two part story. Does Morbius sound like someone you’d want to spend two movies with? No.
I’m calling BS on this rumor, it has all the makings of Raimi just casually answering a question to a reporter. If I’m wrong, though… Nah, I’m not wrong.
*Side-Note: I really liked Spider-Man 3, and think its flaws are well outweighed by its strong points; but I realize I’m in the minority here.
jason January 10th, 2009
Is Raimi definitely doing 4? I disliked 3 enough that I was hoping he would step aside.
Kevin January 10th, 2009
Although the West Coast generally has the greatest earthquake activity, the potential for earthquakes exists in almost every corner of the United States.
Alex January 10th, 2009
Yup, Raimi is signed on for 4 and 5, as are Tobey Maguire, and Kirsten Dunst.
And I couldn’t agree more about the earthquake thing.
Jordan D. White January 10th, 2009
It’s a 2 parter?
Ok, then they should do Kraven, and part 2 can be Kraven’s Last Hunt.
Throw the lizard in for part 4 and Vermin for 5 and you’re set.
jason January 11th, 2009
Hopefully, 4 & 5 are more like 1 & 2, less like 3.*
* I hope this makes more sense than the earthquake comment.
Scott January 13th, 2009
Raimi needs to be cut some slack on the 3rd film. Was it terrible compared to 1 and 2? Yes, but it is important to remember that it wasn’t all Raimi’s doing. Raimi didn’t want to use Venom in the 3rd Film because he didn’t understand the character and had no connection to him. Avi Arad, the fans and others pressured Raimi into shoehorning Venom into the film. Yes, Raimi did still direct the film and accept this change but it wasn’t his original vision (Vulture and Sandman was if I remember correctly) so what we got was neither a good Venom v. Spiderman movie nor a good spiderman movie period. If Raimi tells a story with characters that he cares about and truly understands 4 and 5 will be good films. If he doesn’t at least 1 and 2 were great films and that is more than one can say about most super-hero properties.
jason January 17th, 2009
Unless Avi Arad made him add in the Stayin’ Alive/Bright Eyes/jazz piano stuff, I can’t cut Raimi any slack for Spider-Man 3.
Scott January 17th, 2009
Jason,
If you think about it, indirectly Arad is to blame. Raimi’s spiderman has always been more old school and corny which clearly does not vibe well with a dark 90’s story. The Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head scene in Spiderman 2 was corny but it worked because it fit within Raimi’s view of spiderman. The stayin’ alive/bright eyes/jazz piano stuff was Raimi’s view of a dark peter parker under the control of the symbiote. I agree it was a horrible scene but that is why Raimi didn’t want to use the Venom story in the first place because he didn’t understand dark spiderman. The movie just proves Raimi right. If the Venom story arc was never in the 3rd film guess what the scene would not have been in the film.
Gale January 24th, 2009
Thouse are arguably good points. Whitch is quite sadining concidering The love for the super natural side of comics. when i heard the rummor that Morbius would appear I freaked out because he tested verry well in the Spiderman 3 game, He was the initial enemy for blade 2 before that was cut, and the 90’s fans of old Fang Face Would be extatic. Though i saw morbius as just a sub texst opposed to “Spiderman vs Vampires”. Morbious is no stand alone villan but with they toyed ideas of The Lizard, Morbius, Spiderman, and Kraven i think that could have the makeing for a solid movie.
That and as a lame little dream id love to see Morbius in his own movie or a Midnight sons movie for that matter.
solidgoldceo January 30th, 2009
Great so that’s two Spiderman movies I wont be watching. Tobey Maguire is a terrible choice for Peter Parker has a wet soppy doe-eyed girl who delivers one liners with no conviction. also Imp sick of him always losing his mask in the final battle just to get face time, we know who you are why don’t you use acting to convince us your somebody else. To be honest I was hoping Marvel would wait for a couple more years and do a Hulk style rebirth but that was probably wishful thinking on my part.
