Spider-Man: Homecoming actor Michael Keaton is as confused as any other Marvel fan regarding his cameo in 2022’s Morbius, which was both critically and commercially flopped. The Batman actor while opening up about his confusion over starring in Morbius said that even today, he does not know why he appeared in the Daniel Espinosa-directed movie.
Even Michael Keaton is Still Confused Over His Appearance in Morbius
Michael Keaton, much like confused fans, remains perplexed by his appearance in the film Morbius. While existing within Sony’s Spider-Verse (separate from the MCU’s Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland), Keaton’s prior portrayal of Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming made his mid-credits cameo in Morbius a head-scratcher for many viewers.
Originally, the plan was for Michael Keaton’s Vulture to have a role, originating from Michael Morbius’ world. However, reshoots introduced a Multiverse aspect, even though this placement seemed nonsensical. In a conversation with Josh Horowitz, Keaton admitted to being utterly befuddled by his cameo, pointing out the lack of explanation even from those involved:
“I mean, they said ‘Okay’ … and even they couldn’t quite explain it. They said, ‘Look, let me just kind of tell you,’ and I go, ‘I really don’t quite know what you’re talking about or even who some of these people are,’ and he said, ‘Okay, let me explain,’ but it was complicated because, obviously, they were looking down the road.”
Keaton added, “I’m nodding like I know what the f— they’re talking about. I go, ‘Uh-huh.’ And I’m thinking, ‘You may as well be explaining quantum physics right now to me. All I know is I just know my guy. And I know the basics.’”
“So finally, they were looking at me, and they just started laughing. They said, ‘You don’t know what we’re talking about, do you?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t, no idea what you’re talking about.’”
Based on the Morbius the Living Vampire comics, Sony’s Spider-Man spin-off received harsh criticism and commercially underperformed.
Fans React to Michael Keaton’s Statement
Following Keaton’s remark at Happy Sad Confused Podcast, social media users rushed to share their thoughts.
I have no idea why Morbius was even released. Easily one of the worst films ever made.
— DJ Martinez (@DJMartinez06) March 11, 2024
Neither did we. LoL pic.twitter.com/SFdjgvt7BN
— Say My Name (@Name__Error_404) March 11, 2024
Then… why agree to it?
— Chedu 🍜 (@Navxrroo) March 11, 2024
Didn’t even know he was in that
— Samantha J. Foster Composer (@sjfostersound) March 11, 2024
https://twitter.com/Ethanrix23/status/1767430682224341327
I'm glad I'm not the only one
— CAV🇺🇸 (@patriotic_cav) March 12, 2024
That's because Sony has no plan and never did.
— Jordan PACE Nichols (GIDDY UP 🐎🏆🏆🏆) (@TheJPN23) March 12, 2024
Director Daniel Espinosa while speaking with Variety, revealed why the cut Keaton’s scenes.
“There’s not much more, but there’s always a bit on the cutting room floor:”
“There was a moment where we were playing more with this idea that it would be more intricate of how people saw each other. When you make movies, you have all these different ideas, and then we made the decision to make it pure and put it toward the end because it’s clearer. That’s what people do. There’s not much more, but there’s always a bit on the cutting room floor.“
The film grossed only $167 million worldwide. Jared Leto, who portrays the titular anti-hero, even received a Razzie Award for Worst Actor, with the film itself garnering five total Razzie nominations.
Morbius is available to stream on Disney+
