The decision to incorporate Sony’s Morbius into the Marvel Cinematic Universe solves the problem of how Marvel Studios will set up its Blade movie. Though in different ways, Blade and Morbius are both centered around the same subject material: vampires. Morbius makes it easier for Marvel to introduce vampires to the MCU.

The release of the highly anticipated first trailer for Sony’s Morbius movie showed Jared Leto’s titular vampire in action and provided a very brief glimpse at his complete transformation into the comic book character. But the reveal from the trailer that’s received the bulk of the attention is undeniably the confirmation that Morbius (and Venom) take place within the MCU, despite being made by Sony and not Marvel Studios. In the past, conflicting statements from Marvel and Sony made the situation complicated, but it was eventually determined a while back that Venom existed on its own. The Morbius trailer changes all of this, however.

First of all, the trailer includes an Easter egg that does more than just reference Morbius’ original enemy, Spider-Man. The trailer alludes to Peter Parker being framed for killing Mysterio in the cliffhanger ending of Spider-Man: Far From Home when the word “murderer” is shown on street art of Spider-Man. The connection between the MCU and Sony’s Marvel Universe became blatantly obvious when Vulture (Michael Keaton) from Spider-Man: Homecoming showed up at the end of the trailer and spoke to Morbius. Having Morbius, Venom, and eventually Venom 2 in a $22 billion franchise is a huge win for Sony Pictures, but it helps Marvel too. Here’s how Morbius can set up Marvel’s Blade movie.

Morbius Introduces Vampires To The MCU

Th MCU is packed with over 20 movies that together encompass multiple genres and elements, which means that there isn’t a long list of things Marvel hasn’t tried yet. The MCU already has elves, gods, monsters, aliens, sorcerers, alternate timelines, and time travel, but one thing it doesn’t have is vampires. The idea was that Marvel would have to dive into new territory with Blade, but now that may not be necessary, or at least not entirely. Morbius can show audiences that vampires do indeed exist in the MCU.

Morbius tells the story of a man dying of a rare blood disease who conducts a dangerous experiment and turns himself into a creature with vampire-like qualities. Due to this experiment, Dr. Michael Morbius develops fangs, superhuman strength, the ability to use echolocation, and like all vampires, a need to drink blood. With Morbius being in the MCU, Marvel doesn’t have to introduce the concept of vampirism in Blade; Sony will have done this job for them with Morbius.

Morbius Can Directly Set Up Blade

It should be pointed out that there’s a reason why in Marvel Comics, Morbius is called “The Living Vampire”. Morbius is not a vampire in the traditional sense, nor is he undead. It would be more accurate to say that he’s a pseudo-vampire. His abilities and thirst for blood are qualities shared by vampires, but Morbius is transformed by science and not through supernatural means. Vampires, on the other hand, are supernatural creatures that originated from Blade’s biggest enemy, the immortal Dracula.

This doesn’t mean that Morbius and Blade aren’t connected. Since Blade won’t be released until 2022 at the earliest, not much is known about how it will adapt the vampire curse. Blade may not go the supernatural route with Dracula and may instead go with a more practical, grounded approach in terms of what vampires are and where they come from. In Blade’s movie, he may be dealing with vampires who are like Morbius. It may be that the virus has spread in such a way that Blade has to rise up and hunt them down. Morbius is only about one vampire, but an event in the movie could lead to an outbreak or some other reason for a person like Blade to be needed in the MCU.

If the MCU does use the supernatural definition of a vampire, Morbius can still factor into the setup for Blade. Morbius can hint at or tease the existence of real vampires. Or, if Morbius wants to take thing a step further, the movie can even drop a reference to Blade himself by mentioning a man who hunts down people like Morbius.

Could Morbius & Blade Crossover In The MCU?

Could Morbius appear in Blade, or could the two meet in a crossover film? The answer to this question depends on the details of Marvel’s new deal with Sony. It’s not clear how deep it goes, or if it pertains specifically to Spider-Man and Spider-Man only. If so, Morbius may be off-limits, and it may take another deal to negotiate an appearance from Morbius in a Marvel Studios film. Marvel may take an interest in that possibility if Morbius proves to be a box office sensation.

A potential Blade-Morbius crossover isn’t without precedent. When Blade was being developed, writer David S. Goyer wanted to tease him at the end of the movie, and use Morbius as the main villain for Blade II, but rights issues pertaining to Morbius’ ties to Spider-Man stood in the way. 20 years later, it may still be a problem, but the circumstances have changed significantly, so if both parties want the crossover, there may be a way for it take shape at some point down the road.

Also, it may not matter that Morbius and Blade are movies that deal with two different types of vampires. It certainly didn’t matter in the comics. In fact, Morbius is responsible for some of Blade’s powers. It was actually a bite from Morbius that gave him superhuman qualities. Blade and Morbius have fought – and teamed up – several times since. Like the comic book version of the character, the MCU’s Blade may not necessarily know or care that Morbius isn’t an actually vampire when they meet for the first time. Blade initially targeting Morbius could draw the Living Vampire into the supernatural side of the Marvel Universe. What could be so interesting about a Blade-Morbius crossover is that it would unite two characters who by their very nature would be compelled to kill each other, but circumstances could force them to put their differences aside and come together against a common enemy, whether it be Dracula or some other supernatural foe.

More: MCU Theory: Morbius Was Hidden In Spider-Man: Homecoming

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