When Doctor Who alum Matt Smith was cast in Morbius, it was reported that he'd be playing Loxias Crown. Better known as Hunger in the comic books, he too is a "Living Vampire," and one of the anti-hero's greatest foes. However, production notes for the movie reveal that Smith is actually playing what appears to be a newly created character called Milo.
Apparently, "Milo" is a lifelong friend of Dr. Michael Morbius and is described as "the scion of a very, very, very rich family" who has "grown into a man determined to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life while he can - mostly by spending his money to live the high life in New York."
After Morbius is cursed with vampirism, his "natural reaction is to shield his dying friend - a reaction Milo does not understand or appreciate. Milo steals the serum, transforming himself into the same monster that Morbius is." The two men suffer from the same medical affliction, and upon being cured, "Morbius is afraid of his powers" whereas "Milo embraces them."
It seems Milo is going to be an amalgam of Loxias Crown and Emil Nikos, as the latter was Morbius' childhood friend and his first victim following his transformation into a Living Vampire. Later, Emil was also turned into a vampire, albeit by Baron Blood.
Smith explains, "They both get the same power - one goes one way, and one goes the other way. The lust for more blood, for more feeling, more power - Milo doesn't shy away from it. The idea that Michael is trying to deny his instincts as this creature is just beguiling to Milo. Why? 'We've spent all our lives hobbling around, feeling second-best. And suddenly we feel like gods. And you're gonna throw it away because that's the good thing to do?'"
We're certainly intrigued to see how this dynamic plays out in Morbius, and it's great to finally get some insight into what Smith's villain will bring to the table here. It is a little surprising that we're getting "Milo" instead of Loxias Crown or Emil Nikos, but there may still be more surprises to come.
Morbius is set to be released exclusively in theaters on April 1.