Can One See Morbius and Still Boycott Disney: Marvel’s Complex Franchise Divisions

Choosing to boycott Disney is certainly a subjective decision, and while you may have valid reasons to do so, attempting to simultaneously support Sony’s Morbius and boycott Disney is a bit more challenging than it seems.

Overview of the Marvel-Sony Divorce

The late 1990s were a tumultuous time for Marvel. Faced with financial troubles, they entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. This led to the licensing of Avengers, Spider-Man, and other characters to various studios, including Sony and Disney.

A Difficult History with Sony and Disney

Marvel initially sought to sell Sony their entire roster but eventually settled for only a handful of beloved characters for a mere $7 million. The deal included a 50-50 split of merchandising revenue and 5% of movie revenues going back to Marvel, ensuring the company had a sustainable revenue stream even if the characters were licensed out.

However, the relationship between Marvel and Sony took an even more interesting turn. Sony agreed to give up their share of box office revenues in exchange for Disney taking over their merchandising rights. This move effectively cut Sony out of receiving any profits from box office takings, while Disney continued to share in the merchandising revenue, a win-win that still benefits Marvel financially.

The MCU Spider-Man Films

When Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, they did not fully align their interests with Sony. The MCU Spider-Man films featuring Tom Holland were not produced by Disney but rather in a co-production agreement where Disney had to contribute a portion of the money for an equivalent portion of the return. This means that while Disney owns Marvel Entertainment, they do not have a direct financial stake in the economic success of Sony’s Spider-Man films.

The Morbius Saga: A Prodigium in Sony’s Spider-Verse

Morbius is a Sony Pictures production, focused on the character of Michael Morbius, played by Jared Leto. Michael Morbius, as the Prodigium, is a standalone character that does not belong to the MCU. Sony licenses the rights to characters associated with Spider-Man, but Morbius has its own distinct storyline and universe. This means that while Morbius is part of Sony’s Spider-Verse, and not the MCU, it is still a viable stand-alone entity within the broader Marvel-adjacent film ecosystem.

The film is distributed by Sony Pictures, but Sony is benefiting from the popularity of the Spider-Verse, which helped enhance the character of Michael Morbius. Morbius plied his trade in Venombis and not in the MCU, being firmly rooted in Sony’s universe with the Venom films.

Confusing Connections and Speculation

Despite the clear separation between Morbius and the MCU, it’s worth noting some entanglements. For instance, Michael Keaton, a major Hollywood star, appeared in the trailers for Morbius as Adrian Toomes, aka the Vulture. This has sparked speculation that Toomes might be set to appear in Morbius, potentially crossing over into the MCU. However, this is highly uncertain as Morbius operates within its own universe, the Spider-Verse, which is distinctly separate from the MCU.

Recent reports suggest that the crossover might be a result of a spell used in Spider-Man: No Way Home. While several websites claim this is official information, it’s important to verify this from an official source. Until confirmed, take this as mere speculation.

Conclusion

So, can you see Morbius and still boycot Disney? Technically, yes, but it’s a complicated matter that hinges on understanding the intricate relationships and licensing agreements between Marvel, Sony, and Disney. While Morbius and the Spider-Verse align in some ways, they sit comfortably within their own distinct narrative universes.

Whether you ultimately boycott Disney or not, knowing where to draw the line is key. Support for Morbius is a separate issue from the financial interests and licensing deals that have shaped the wider Marvel landscape.