Dakota Johnson openly discusses the mixed reception of Sony’s film, ‘Madame Web’, stating emphatically that she does not shoulder the blame for its underperformance.
In a recent chat with the Los Angeles Times during her promotional tour for the upcoming movie “Materialists” by A24, Johnson discussed the factors behind the troubled launch of “Madame Web”, hinting at studio meddling and a lack of creative direction as primary issues.
Johnson stated directly, ‘I’m not responsible for this.’ He explained that the process has changed, with many important decisions being made by groups instead of individual creatives or those lacking creativity. He found it challenging to produce quality art or an engaging product in such a system.
The February 2024 release of the Sony-supported superhero movie, featuring Johnson as Cassandra Webb – a New York paramedic acquiring psychic abilities following a close brush with death – garnered only $43 million domestically and earned a poor 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and viewers universally condemned it, leading to numerous memes and viral clips that ridiculed the film as an emblem of superhero burnout and studio blunders online.
Madame Web, a relatively lesser-known figure hailing from the Spider-Man comic world, was the subject of an attempt by Sony to develop her own film series.
As reported by Johnson, the project underwent a significant transformation throughout its duration, ultimately leading her to be excluded from the proceedings.
She clarified, “Unfortunately, Madame Web didn’t stay what it originally was; it morphed into something different. At that stage, I was more like a passenger than an active participant. But that’s how things often go. High-budget films flop frequently.
The actress didn’t clarify the initial concept of the movie or mention those who steered its creative course. Her statement hints at a common complaint among actors and filmmakers today: the increasing influence of studio heads and corporate entities on filmmaking, frequently compromising artistic authenticity.
Regardless of the mishap, Johnson maintains that she holds no lasting resentment stemming from it.
She informed the Times, “I’m not covering it with a Band-Aid.” She added, “There isn’t any piece of me thinking, ‘I’ll never do that again.’ I’ve been part of small films that didn’t succeed. So what?
On another occasion, Johnson has expressed disapproval about how Madame Web was managed earlier as well. In an interview with Bustle last year, shortly after the movie flopped at the box office, she provided a more thoughtful perspective on today’s studio system and its tendency to prioritize data-driven filmmaking.
In a 2024 interview, she stated that films are produced by a director and an artistic crew. She emphasized that art cannot be created using numbers or algorithms. For a while, she’s felt that audiences are very intelligent, but some executives seem to doubt this. However, she believes that audiences can always detect insincerity.
It seems Johnson’s dissatisfaction with uninspiring projects, particularly evident in superhero films, stretches to romantic comedies as well. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times about her upcoming film, Materialists, she admitted that for years, she has been refusing romantic comedies, stating that many of them lacked quality according to her standards.
Johnson expressed disappointment about the romantic comedy scripts she’s encountered since 2016, stating, “They lack depth and emotion.” She went on to explain, “I believe a lot of what I see now is devoid of soul and heart. However, Celine [Song] embodies soul and heart completely. I appreciate a rom-com when I can relate to the characters, but it seems challenging for me to connect with some of the ones I’ve been presented with.
Under the guidance of filmmaker Celine Song, who previously directed “Past Lives”, comes the movie titled “Materialists”. Starring alongside Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, Dwayne Johnson plays the lead role in this A24 production. This project is not only a heartfelt tribute to but also a playful twist on the romantic comedy genre. What attracted Johnson to the project was its deep emotional depth and authentic, complex characters.
Johnson commented, “I found the intricacies of each character, the contradictions, and everyone’s struggle to navigate their feelings truly authentic and remarkably relatable.
Although Materialists might not reach the blockbuster status that Madame Web aimed for, it seems to provide Dakota Johnson an opportunity to return to productions that prioritize creativity over group decision-making. Her remarks imply she’s still interested in mainstream films, but she’s becoming increasingly selective (and outspoken) about the types of projects she wants to be connected with in the future.
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2025-06-06 19:55