Morbius: UK release date, Marvel movie reviews, post credit scene, age rating - and who stars with Jared Leto

The new Marvel movie has a lot to be desired, according to journalists who have had early access
(Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing)(Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing)
(Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing)

With Spider-Man: No Way Home web-slinging to sixth place in the highest grossing films of all time around the world and a third Venom film currently in development, the comic book universe inhabited by Peter Parker and his adversaries continues to expand with Morbius.

Based on the bloodsucking Marvel Comics character created by Roy Thomas, director Daniel Espinosa’s film introduces audiences to Jared Leto’s enigmatic antihero, Dr Michael Morbius.

Here is everything you need to know about it.

What happens in Morbius?

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Afflicted with a rare blood disorder, Michael has dedicated his life to saving others from suffering the same fate like his good friend Milo (Matt Smith).

In pursuit of a medical breakthrough, he ignores the advice of his mentor (Jared Harris) and takes a dangerous gamble that revitalises his ravaged body.

Michael’s fiancee, Martine Bancroft (Adria Arjona), is astounded by the physical transformation but his newfound strength and superhuman abilities come at a terrifying price.

Michael must hunt and drink human blood to feed the darkness that has been unleashed inside him.

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Succumbing to horrific new urges in order to survive, Michael’s relentless rampage places him squarely in the sights of FBI agents Rodriguez (Al Madrigal) and Stroud (Tyrese Gibson).

Who stars in it?

Star of the show is 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto, who has said it is sometimes difficult to leave his characters behind after he finishes filming due to the nature of his immersive style of role preparation.

The Oscar-winning actor said it was “normal” for certain roles to have “some effect on you” after spending months developing alternate physicalities.

Leto is known for his turns as outsider characters including the eccentric Paulo Gucci, in Ridley Scott’s House Of Gucci.

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“I’m attracted to interesting characters, compelling stories and the possibility of working with great groups of people,” he told the PA news agency.

“Whether it’s a dreamer… or a trillionaire, I just look for compelling characters that I’m inspired by.”

Is it any good?

While official reviews have yet to be posted by critics, it doesn’t look good for Morbius in terms of quality.

Journalists who attended early screenings described the film as “boring and uncalculated”, and having “no consistency, except that it’s bad”.

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The plot, CGI and post-credits scenes have also been heavily criticised.

When can I watch it?

Morbius’ theatrical release has been repeatedly pushed back by the pandemic and is now scheduled for 31 March.

The film was originally set for release on 10 July 2020, but was then delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic to March 2021.

It was then delayed to October 2021, and then to January 2022, before being delayed again to its current late-March release date.

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The film was shot in 2019 in London and Manchester's Northern Quarter, which doubled for New York City.

Sony Pictures has chosen not to release the film in Russia due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Given the ongoing military action in Ukraine and the resulting uncertainty and humanitarian crisis unfolding in that region, we will be pausing our planned theatrical releases in Russia, including the upcoming release of Morbius,” an spokesperson said.

What age rating is Morbius?

Morbius has been rated a 15 by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for its “strong threat”, “horror” and “violence”, meaning those aged under 15 cannot see it in cinemas.

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“There are scenes of strong horror and threat, with occasional ‘jump scare’ moments, when people are chased and attacked by vampires,” say the BBFC.

“There are also moderate fight scenes between vampire characters, featuring crunchy blows and infrequent sprays of dark fantastical blood.

“There is infrequent use of strong language,” as well as “infrequent scenes of discriminatory bullying aimed at children who have mobility problems.”

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