Morbius Director Had to Hide Avengers: Endgame Spoilers

After years of waiting through endless delays, Morbius is finally right around the corner. Scripting work began almost five years ago in November 2017, titular star Jared Leto and director Daniel Espinosa signed on in June 2018, and shooting was finally underway in February 2019 and wrapped up in June 2019. So, while Morbius may be releasing just after Spider-Man: No Way Home, it wrapped filming before Far From Home and Avengers: Endgame was even released.

With the Marvel universe being such an interconnected world, now more than ever with the Multiverse at play, coordination between crews is important. Marvel Studios is renowned for the intricate work that goes into crafting the cinematic universe, but what's surprising is how Sony's Spider-Man universe plays into the puzzle.

Despite having Venom and Morbius taking place separate from the MCU in its own universe, they are loosely connected through Spider-Man. Although they are largely standalone, most would assume Sony would remain out of the loop on Marvel Studios' biggest plans, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Morbius Director Knew Endgame's Biggest Secrets

During a recent interview with Digital Spy, Morbius director Daniel Espinosa revealed he had to hold onto Avengers: Endgame's biggest secret after being let in on a major surprise.

At the time Morbius began filming, Endgame was yet to release, and Espinosa confirmed there were "tons of small secrets" he was let in on that "[he] had to hold very close," including Tony Stark's death:

“When we started [filming], Avengers: Endgame hadn’t been released either. There were tons of small secrets. I remember when somebody whispered to me that Tony Stark was going to die. Those were secrets that I had to hold very close.”

Morbius' Martine Bancroft actress Adria Arjona confirmed the director's successful secret-keeping, revealing she was unaware of the surprise casualty.

The director went on to joke about being taken into a "room in the lot which is soundproof" and having them "inject a small chip into his brain" while learning Marvel secrets:

“I had moments where they would take me into a room in the lot which is soundproof, and they’d inject a small chip into your brain, and they’d tell you certain things, and then you’re allowed to exit."

On a more realistic note, Espinosa then revealed the importance of knowing some details about "where things are guided" but still being allowed to develop "the idea of the picture and also the style:"

"You have to know certain things about where things are guided, but they allowed me to develop the idea of the picture and also the style.“

The Marvel filmmaker continued to discuss his character's connection to the wider world, saying Morbius should be a "very unique character" and an "outsider."  The director shared his desire to make his "own New York" and focus it on "what this side of Marvel should be:"

"Morbius should be a very unique character, and it should be an outsider. I wanted to have the opportunity to do my own New York and keep a bit of my version of what this side of Marvel should be."

But Why Did Espinosa Know About Tony Stark's Death?

With Morbius set outside the MCU in Venom's isolated corner of the Marvel Multiverse, it's unclear why director Daniel Espinosa would need to be aware of Avengers: Endgame's major deaths and biggest secrets.

Based on what's known about the unreleased blockbuster, Michael Keaton's Vulture appears to be the only MCU connection present in Morbius, although how he fits into the puzzle is still rather confusing.

With fans speculating about No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness connections in Morbius, it's important to remember the bulk of the film was shot around the era of Avengers: Endgame. Back then, the Multiverse was a mere concept that was yet to come to life, so while reshoots may have added minor connections, it will likely be more of a solo endeavor.

Since Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage took place in San Francisco, Morbius will be the first peek into Sony's New York City. The film's director appears to be creating a more horror-based city for the SSMU, specifically designed to fit the tone of Morbius.

But with many more villains - including Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter, Rhino, and Sandman - expected to enter the fray soon, who knows which will join him in the city?

Early reviews have so far pointed to nothing but disappointment for Morbius, as fans and critics alike refer to it as a boring and confusing mess. With such intensely negative reactions, Jared Leto's vampire flick may struggle to achieve box office success, potentially spelling trouble for the future of the character and the SSMU overall.

Morbius hits theaters on April 1.