Summary
Sony attempted to hire a lauded horror auteur to direct one of the worstSpider-Manmovies in their failed spinoff universe. Sony owns the film rights toSpider-Man, working in connection with Marvel for the last several live-action outings starring Tom Holland as the titular wall crawler. However, Sony chose to create a universe of their ownSpider-Mancharacters based around the villains they had the rights to use, likeMorbius,Kraven, andMadame Web.
Sony saw success withVenom, which had stellar box office returns despite mixed reviews. Still, it was enough to propel the franchise into a trilogy. Sony also released the Aaron Taylor-Johnson-ledKraven, which leaned toward a violent R rating but failed to capitalize on the character, andMadame Web, which came under notorious scrutiny for its poor quality and underutilized cast. However, one of the first movies they produced was based on the vampiric villain Morbius.Morbiushad more than a few issues, with controversial actor Jared Leto in the lead. The film wasdirected by Daniel Espinosa, who previously directedSafe Housewith Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington, and the sci-fi featureLife. However, Sony apparently attempted to hire a horror icon prior to Espinosa’s involvement.
While appearing on theMixed Signalspodcast,director Ari Aster revealed that Sony approached him to directMorbius.Aster blasted onto the scene with 2018’s terrifyingHereditary, and continued to flex his aptitude for the genre with films likeMidsommarandBeau Is Afraid. However, his career could have taken a very different trajectory had he taken Sony’s offer. Aster didn’t delve much into the details surrounding Sony’s offer or plans forMorbius, but given the lauded director’s career path, it was likely a quick rejection.
Beloved Filmmaker Ari Aster Continues To Follow His Own Path, No Matter What
We’ll See HowEddingtonTurns Out
Had Aster taken Sony’s offer, the director would have tackledMorbiusinstead ofBeau Is Afraid. WhileBeau Is Afraiddidn’t garner the attention his earlier films did, it was his boldest swing yet, helped by a budget he would not have had access to if it weren’t for the hits he had inHereditaryandMidsommar.Morbiuswould have likely constrained the director, but his continued path suggests he wants to branch out with original ideas.
While Aster’s presence onMorbiuscould have changedthe story and even the cast, the director has continued to impress with his distinct use of genres.Beau Is Afraidis hard to define, playing into dark comedy and psychological drama, and his new film,Eddington, is a modern western that retains the director’s darkly comedic tone. It’s possible thatMorbiuscould have seen a path to success under the guidance of Ari Aster. Still, as inspired an idea as it seems, the director would have been wrong for the film, as he continues to thrill with originality and freedom.
