It appearsMorbiusmay very well turn out to be the hit Sony always wanted it to be, just not in the way they would have wanted it to be. In spite of the film being poorly received by critics and getting an underwhelming box office return,Morbiushas apparently been re-released in theaters.
Even thoughMorbiushas already been made availableto purchase on digital platforms and its been a few months since its original release in theaters, its resonance with the fanbase has inspired the film to be re-released theatrically. According to Exhibitor Relations Co.,Morbiuswill return to 1,000-plus theaters for the weekend starting June 3.
RELATED:New Ms. Marvel Clip Features A Hilarious Nod To The Hulk
ComicBook reports that due to the film’s growing cult following coupled with the countless memes that have spawned because of the film’s ‘iconic’ scenes and lines of dialogue,Morbiuswill be getting re-releasedin theaters. According to ComicBook,Morbius"has already developed a cult status upon hitting digital, withMorbiusand various ‘Morb-related’ memes trending on Twitter for the better part of the past week, as well as calls from fans to greenlight a sequel. The film also continues to have a passionate online Discord community, and even made headlines after a fan repeatedly streamed it on Twitch in its entirety." Because of its unorthodox influence, the film is now getting another release in theaters.
Usually superhero movies get re-released because studios want a bigger box office return and know that they can lure their fans with something like a “deleted scene” to do just that -thinkAvengers: Endgame. This case seems to be different. From the sound of things,Morbiushas entered the realm of the “so bad it’s good” film category in the modern age. Movies like those, such asTroll 2andThe Room, have developed similar cult followings for being so enjoyably incompetent. In this case though, because fan outreach is as palpable as its ever been because of the internet’s influence, poorly received superhero movies likeMorbiusgain the popularity the studio wants. Just not in the way they would have liked.
Of course, Sony would prefer that fans genuinely like the movie because of the movie’s quality, but this is a rare opportunity they have on their hands. Time and time again, Sony has messed up the blockbuster movie franchises they’ve tried to get off the ground. Instead of feebly trying to establish a cinematic universe with material that doesn’t really call for a cinematic universe, maybe they can establish their own success by creating material that captures the essence of “enjoyably terrible.” When the big-budget movies you make already suck, why not ‘suck with style?’
Here’s some tough love for Sony - everyone knew going in thatMorbiuswas going to be terrible. Making a movie off such an obscure character inSpider-Mancomics was a disaster waiting to happen. It’s become the success Sony wanted it to be, but for all the wrong reasons. With all of these otherSpider-Man spinoff movies coming out, should they honestly try to make something good, or should Sony try to have them follow the same abnormal pathMorbiusdid to become a success? It’s hard not to think the latter is the better option.
