Morbius is more than just Jared Leto’s venture into the Marvel Universe. It’s also his first time stepping into the lead in a Hollywood tentpole film, the first time playing a true hero, taking on a franchise and setting course for the future within one world.
For years, Jared Leto has been one of the most acclaimed, awarded and talked about actors almost purely from his work as a supporting actor, starting all the way back with Fight Club and American Psycho all the way through scene-stealing performances in Dallas Buyer’s Club (2013), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and last year’s much-debated House of Gucci (2021)—to name only a few.
He has also always had a penchant for dark roles that only became more intense because of his much-discussed penchant for method acting, fully immersing himself in roles such as Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon, in Chapter 27 (2007). a part for which he gained 30KG and reportedly gave himself gout in order to fully become the deranged figure, or the oft-debated turn as The Joker in Suicide Squad (2016).
Jared Leto, who has also long been the frontman of one of the most successful alternative rock acts in history, 30 Seconds to Mars, is a man of many talents, and while Morbius, in cinemas March 31 across the Middle East, is unlike anything he’s done before, it’s a signal that something new may be coming.
In our conversation , Jared Leto revealed that he no longer is interested in the darker roles of his past, and wants to try Saturday morning cartoons, sitcoms and rom-coms. Or perhaps retire from acting entirely, as he says—“maybe I could walk away soon”.
Read and watch our full conversation with the Academy Award-winner Jared Leto below:
Full Jared Leto Interview here:
Morbius is a landmark film for you, in a lot of ways. It’s taking on something you’ve never taken on before, It’s a new phase in your life at 50 onwards.
Do you feel like the Jared of 25 would have been as excited about a role like this? Do you think he would have been looking forward to teaming up with Spider-Man? Or do you find that you’re interested in new things as you grow as a person?
It’s a good question. I don’t know, maybe I just would have been on TikTok brother. What a wild thing to think about.
Who were you then?
When I was younger, I actually avoided starring roles. I didn’t feel like I was ready for that sort of thing. I’m glad that it’s now. I don’t think I would have had the faculty or the agency to to deliver, to deal with some of the pressures and things like that. I’m quite relieved and happy that I didn’t have these opportunities sooner, to tell you the truth.
Why do you feel that you’re ready for it now? Why does it interest you, when there’s so many different things you could be doing?
You know, it’s a great question. And I think you have a point. I think a long stroll into the sunset may be on its way.
It is a bizarre. It’s a bizarre when you when you think about it. It can become quite abstract. There’s are a lot of other actors to entertain people. So yeah, the question is why? Why do I do it? I don’t know. compulsion? Right. But I don’t know. Maybe I… maybe I could walk away soon.
I’d rather you don’t. Because I feel like you’re only getting better as time goes on.
I’m like an old cheese, my friend. Like a like a piece of that really pungent cheese you only find in France.
And it’s only getting more flavorful by the year.
AKA moldier.
Moldy, no. And your process is obviously incredibly intense. You commit yourself fully, wholeheartedly to these characters.
How much in terms of taking on a character like Michael Morbius or any one else do you take into consideration living in that person’s mind, and how that’s going to affect you and weigh on you in that time period?
As I’ve gotten older, I certainly do think about this. Some of the roles that I was interested in when I was younger, I just wouldn’t want to spend that kind of time anymore. I’ve also done it, so it’s easier to walk in a different direction.
I don’t think really attracted to roles that would bruise my psyche too much, which can happen when you’re making films. Imagine if you were to binge watch season one and two of Making a Murderer in 24 hours, with only popcorn and Sour Patch Kids. It can kind of get inside your head a little bit.
There’s a lot of other things to explore. There are a lot of other things to explore, like Saturday morning sitcoms and soap operas and rom coms. But I’m being serious. I don’t feel that that kind of attraction to some that darker material that I did when I was younger.
Can’t wait to see more. It was great talking to you.
I appreciate the insightful questions. You made me think a little bit this morning.
I probably hit you with too much too early in the day.
No, it was good to get the brain working.
Morbius is in cinemas across the Middle East on March 31. Get tickets with a special offer here.