The new "Sony's Spider-Man Universe" film Madame Web will introduce Ezekiel Sims as the main bad guy with Napoleon star Tahar Rahim playing the role. We've seen glimpses of him in the trailer where he is notably sporting a black Spider-Man-style suit.
So far, the details regarding the villain's backstory in the film are under wraps although we know that they are taking liberty from the comics where the character is usually depicted as a supporting player to Spider-Man.
Some fans have also pointed out that the character's abilities as teased in the trailers reminded them of Morlun and it prompted questions on whether he and Ezekiel Sims are the same.
Also Read: Why Did Madame Web Change Julia Carpenter's Name to Julia Cornwall? Explained
Ezekiel Sims and Morlun Powers Explained
Marvel.com described Ezekiel Sims as an "enigmatic" figure who gains "spider-like abilities and creates the Spider Society to protect people, but to an end of profit and power."
His powers are derived from the same source as Spider-Man, but the difference is that he got them through "deceit rather than by right" and it is "marginally inferior level to Spider-Man."
Some of his notable abilities are superhuman strength, superhuman speed, superhuman agility, superhuman reflexes, wallcrawling, and "spidey-sense" alertness.
Meanwhile, Morlun is described as "a vampiric being who has walked the earth for centuries and "feeds on the totems, the core power sources of the universe."
His only connection with Ezekiel in the comics is that Spider-Man sought Ezekiel's help after his encounter with Morlun. However, Ezekiel told him that there was nothing he could do since Morlun could track him anywhere.
Are Ezekiel Sims and Morlun One and the Same?
Following the trailer's release a few months ago, Ezekiel Sims co-creator J. Michael Straczynski posted on X that he believes that the character's film version combined elements from Morlun.
"And well, this just happened. It's definitely the character I created for Spidey, but it feels like they may have merged it with Morlun a bit. (Don't ask for any details because this is the first I'm hearing of it, so my guess is as good as yours.)," he wrote.
Despite that, the two characters are not the same. There might be some similarities, but the film is taking a lot of liberty with the portrayal of Ezekiel Sims.
In Madame Web, he is an explorer who accompanied Cassandra Webb's mother for spider research in the Amazon rainforest before her death. He gains clairvoyant abilities and enhanced strength after an encounter with a powerful spider.
It is interesting to see how the villain's journey in the film will play out considering the significant changes that they made from the source material.
Madame Web is set to arrive in theaters this February 14.
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