Sony could expand ‘Spider-Man’ universe with Morbius the Living Vampire spinoff

Tom Hardy is currently filming “Venom,” Sony’s first spinoff from the “Spider-Man” movie franchise. AFP PHOTO/ NIKLAS HALLE’N

Morbius the Living Vampire could be set to make a big-screen debut as the central character in an upcoming “Spider-Man” spinoff, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

The project has reportedly been submitted to Sony by the screenwriters who penned the recent “Power Rangers” movie.

With production on “Venom” now underway, Sony could already be thinking about new ways to expand its “Spider-Man” universe on the big screen. Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless—the screenwriters behind “Dracula Untold,” “The Last Witch Hunter,” “Gods of Egypt” and “Power Rangers”—have proposed bringing the story of Morbius the Living Vampire to Sony’s “Spider-Man” cinematic universe.

Michael Morbius is a biochemist who gets turned into a vampire after trying to cure himself of a rare disease with an experimental treatment involving bats and electroshocks.

This character, who has never before been seen on the big screen, was created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane and first appeared in 1971 in the comic book “The Amazing Spider-Man.” As yet, Sony has not confirmed whether it has green-lighted the project let alone how—if the film gets the go-ahead—it will be connected to the studio’s “Spider-Man” movies or the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Following the success of “Spider-Man: Homecoming”—which has grossed $880M worldwide since its release in June—the studio is envisaging developing the franchise further.

As well as a sequel scheduled for summer 2019 with Tom Holland, two spinoffs are already in the pipeline. Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) is currently filming “Venom” starring Tom Hardy as Spider-Man’s nemesis, as well as Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed.

The movie is slated for release in fall 2018. “Silver and Black,” based on female characters Silver Sable and Black Cat, is expected early in 2019 helmed by director Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Secret Life of Bees”). KI

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