Theaters Wouldn’t Exist Without Marvel Movies, Says Jared Leto

Morbius actor Jared Leto has stated that he believes that movie theatres wouldn’t exist without Marvel movies. Leto is no stranger to the comic book movie having played Joker in the DCEU. Morbius will be the actor’s first Marvel film, however. The upcoming Sony movie tells the tale of biochemist Michael Morbius, who inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism while trying to cure himself of a rare blood disease. The film is helmed by Life director Daniel Espinosa and is set to be released on April 1 after a slew of delays.

It is no secret that while superhero movies bring with them a massive fanbase, many big-name Hollywood directors have expressed their distaste for them, and the copious numbers of superhero films and series produced each year. Heavy-hitting directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese have accused MCU films of resembling theme park rides rather than actual cinema. Independence Day director Roland Emmerich has also stated his belief that, between the MCU and DCEU films, as well as all of the individual standalone superhero films, it has become increasingly difficult for a filmmaker to get an original idea for a movie greenlit. While these may indeed be true struggles, many others have come forward with opposing opinions.

In a recent interview with Variety, Leto has expressed that he believes films like Marvel’s are keeping cinema doors open. Leto has stated that if it weren’t for the constant superhero movies, he doesn’t “know if theatres would exist.” Leto is, of course, referring to the fact that theatres have recently been suffering financially from both the ever-growing streaming industry, as well as the recent global pandemic. While Leto has confessed to be somewhat of a film-snob, he still extends immense gratitude to Marvel films for “keeping cinema alive.” See his full quote below:

“If it wasn’t for Marvel films, I don’t even know if theaters would exist. I also have gratitude for these movies because they’re keeping cinema alive. I know how important that was for me as a kid… escaping to the movies. That cultural experience was quite informative and impactful. I saw movies in theaters that changed my life.”

Leto has gone on to state how important escaping to the movies was for him as a child. While he does find it sad that with the constant stream of new superhero films, there doesn’t seem to be room for everyone in the theater, he is grateful that these movies are keeping the theatrical experience from disappearing completely. His feelings have been echoed by many other actors who have come in contact with the superhero genre. Both Samuel L. Jackson and Nicolas Cage have expressed their unhappiness with the discontent from the likes of Scorsese and Coppola. For them, the theater is for everyone.

At the end of the day, Leto certainly makes a great point. These last few years have been a massive struggle for cinemas everywhere, and it is very likely that if it weren’t for the likes of the MCU and DCEU, this would be an experience that would have already disappeared. It is, of course, true that cinemas have become quite oversaturated with superhero films, which has left moviegoers who aren’t fans of the genre somewhat alienated from the theater. However, perhaps theater can come back in small steps. For example, Leto has promised that Morbius will not be like other superhero films, and tells a story that even a self-professed film-snob can get behind.

Source: Variety