The legacy of Marvel Comics is not merely a collection of superheroes; it is a sprawling mythology that has captivated generations, with no figure more universally beloved than Spider-Man. From the web-slinger’s street-level heroism to the complex tapestry of his supporting cast and notorious villain, the Spider-Verse remains a boundless realm of dramatic potential. This perpetual craze fuels a unique ambition in Hollywood, where actors do not just seek roles but campaign for a chance to wear a famed comic mantle. Now, One Piece Season 2 actor, already familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe's eccentric edges, has his sights set on a decidedly darker character.

This multifaceted actor, known for embracing a celebrated role in One Piece, now reveals his target within the Spider-Man ecosystem.

Speaking recently at a comic convention to The Direct, the actor David Dastmalchian articulated his deep-seated desire to portray the anti-hero Morbius. He disclosed that after playing two different roles across the Ant-Man trilogy, he has a hypothetical third character already selected: the tragic, blood-craving scientist. Dastmalchian explained his lifelong affinity for the horror side of comics, stating he has "always been a fan of the horror and the weirder characters," a preference that draws him toward the Living Vampire.

Morbius, the Living Vampire, is a tragic anti-hero and occasional antagonist of Spider-Man in Marvel Comics. The character is Dr. Michael Morbius, a brilliant biochemist suffering from a rare, fatal blood disease. In a desperate attempt to cure himself, he conducted a radical, experimental procedure involving vampire bat DNA and electroshock therapy. This tragically resulted in a form of pseudo-vampirism, giving him superhuman abilities like strength, speed, flight, and an insatiable, science-based need for human blood, but without the magical weaknesses of traditional vampires. He constantly struggles with his monstrous transformation and his desperate compulsion to feed. Securing this role as he spoke to The Direct would allow Dastmalchian to expand his repertoire by delving into a character who embodies Marvel’s monstrous side.

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Dastmalchian is already a recognizable and chameleonic talent within both the Marvel and DC comic book movie landscapes.

He first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the original Ant-Man film in 2015, playing Kurt Goreshter, an ex-convict and an integral, quirky member of Scott Lang’s criminal-turned-hero crew. He reprised this role in the 2018 sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp. Later in the franchise, he voiced the endearing, blob-like creature Veb in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in 2023, showcasing his range by tackling a completely different kind of character.

Beyond his established MCU tenure, Dastmalchian has simultaneously maintained a distinguished career in DC Comics adaptations and superhero movies/series, proving his versatility and genre fluency. He had a memorable, minor appearance as Thomas Schiff in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and, more prominently, delivered a critically praised, tragic performance as the eccentric Polka-Dot Man in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, cementing his status as a recurring presence in blockbuster comic book cinema.

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