Daniel Espinosa, director of Morbius, has talked about Jared Leto’s method approach to the Marvel role.

Morbius tells the story of Dr Michael Morbius, played by Jared Leto, whose search for a cure to his debilitating blood disorder eventually transforms him into a “living vampire.” In the film, prior to developing his abilities, Morbius is shown to be heavily impacted by his condition, staggering slowly on a pair of crutches in order to get around. According to director Daniel Espinosa, part of Leto’s method for getting into character involved maintaining Morbius’ limp and reliance on crutches even between takes, which led to some issues when it came to bathroom breaks.

In a recent interview with Uproxx, Espinosa was asked about the rumor that Leto had been using his crutches when the cameras weren’t rolling, which led to bathroom breaks taking so long that a compromise was reached so that someone would wheel Leto to the bathroom in a wheelchair. Espinosa confirmed the rumor, putting it down to the actor’s own process. He explained:

“Yeah. Because I think that what Jared thinks, what Jared believes, is that somehow the pain of those movements, even when he was playing normal Michael Morbius, he needed, because he’s been having this pain his whole life. Even though, as he’s alive and strong, it has to be a difference. Hey, man, it’s people’s processes.”

It’s an approach that’s sure to divide opinion. On the one hand, some will see it as a mark of Jared Leto’s dedication to depicting someone who has lived with a debilitating condition all his life, while others are sure to think Leto feigning disability is unnecessary, or even problematic. Leto’s method acting has caused issues in the past; while playing the Joker in Suicide Squad, the actor infamously sent his co-stars disturbing presents, including a used condom and a live mouse.

Given the lackluster response to Morbius, there is sure to be some doubt over whether Jared Leto’s method really paid off here. But, as Espinosa goes on to point out, “All of the actors believe in processes.”

Here is the synopsis for Jared Leto’s Morbius:

One of Marvel’s most compelling and conflicted characters comes to the big screen as Oscar® winner Jared Leto transforms into the enigmatic antihero, Michael Morbius. Dangerously ill with a rare blood disorder, and determined to save others suffering his same fate, Dr. Morbius attempts a desperate gamble. What at first appears to be a radical success, a darkness inside him is unleashed and transforms this healer into a hunter.

Directed Daniel Espinosa from a script written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, the film stars Jared Leto as the lead anti-hero, Adria Arjona, Matt Smith, Jared Harris, and Tyrese Gibson. Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are producing the project with Lucas Foster, while Palak Patel will oversee for Sony.

Morbius is now in theaters. Stay tuned for all the latest news on the rest of Sony’s plans for Jared Leto and their Spider-Man universe, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content!

Source: Uproxx