It's NOT Morbin' time: Jared Leto's 'bafflingly dull' Morbius bombs AGAIN after re-release
"Bafflingly dull", "ludicrously pointless", and "amazingly dumb." These were some of the words that critics used to describe 'Morbius' after watching it ahead of its release in April. The Sony flick was much delayed and was also reshot extensively but failed to impress the masses and critics alike due to its poor performances, pacing, and plot. It also wasn't a widespread success at the box office, grossing only around $73.3 million (in the US) on a budget of $75 million.
However, 'Morbius' became the talk of the town, or rather the internet, after the "it's morbin' time" meme went viral. This could've made Sony assume that it was the ideal time to ride the tide and re-release the film as the meme happened to catch Jared Leto's attention as well. Leto would go on to post a video in which he was seen reading a fake script titled 'Morbius 2: It's Morbin' Time.' The poorly received and reviewed Jared Leto starrer was released in over 1000 theaters, along with David Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future'.
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Unfortunately, the strategy has fallen flat on its face as 'Morbius' has raked in a number that's extremely dismal. Having been reissued by Sony, 'Morbius' collected $280,000 after making a return, which brings up its domestic numbers to $73.6 million. The disappointing performance of the re-release is also a lesson to those banking on virality. Just because something is trending, doesn't necessarily mean it should be monetized.
For those unaware, here's the official synopsis of the 'Spider-Man' spinoff currently running in theaters, "One of the most compelling and conflicted characters in Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters comes to the big screen as Oscar winner Jared Leto (2013, Best Supporting Actor, Dallas Buyers Club) transforms into the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius. Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr. Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. While at first it seems to be a radical success, a darkness inside him is unleashed. Will good override evil – or will Morbius succumb to his mysterious new urges?"