Dakota Johnson About ‘Madame Web’ Failure: ‘I Don’t Fit in That World’; Audience Didn’t Connect

Dakota Johnson finally gave her two cents about why “Madame Web” failed. In an honest confession, she admits, “I don’t make sense in that world. I know that now.” She is speaking of none other than the Spider-Man universe. Johnson also swears she will not ever take up such a role in the future.

Brutally Honest Admission

The world gave a lukewarm reception to Sony’s “Madame Web” where Dakota played the lead role. Given the negative talk after the film’s release, Dakota Johnson realised how wrong it was to star in it. She is engaged to Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin. 

Speaking in an interview, she estimates why the film failed, while Marvel’s Cinematic Universe is going so well with Spider-Man movies starring Tom Holland. Not just Madame Web, other Sony superhero releases like “Morbius,” starring Jared Leto, also got bad reviews. 

Dakota’s film might not even get a sequel; the box office collections are too low to script another instalment. After assessing her role, the script, and the filmmaking process, she said, “I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now.”

Committee-Made Films Don’t Resonate with Fans

Dakota explains that her whole experience was negative, starting from Day One. “I will probably never make a movie like Madame Web again,” she expressed candidly. And it is good that the makers are not concerned with part 2 of the film. 

While Johnson understands the criticism, she also blames the studio and crew for the adverse response. The “50 Shades of Grey” star said that the movie was “ripped to shreds,” and not one that she heard in the narration. Dakota Johnson notes that while making big movies, committees make all the decisions.

“Art does not do well when it’s made by committee,” the “Suspiria” actress observed. “Sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something, and it’s one thing and then as you’re making it, it becomes a completely different thing, and you’re like, Wait, what?” But it was certainly a learning experience for her. 

Dakota Johnson Says Audiences Can Sense What’s Wrong

Ultimately, when executives enter, the focus changes. Audiences are smart enough to realise that something is amiss. “Films made by committees, like Madame Web, are unlikely to resonate,” she quips. It scares the “Persusion” actress that this trend is also catching up with small-budget movies. 

“You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms. Audiences will always be able to sniff out bullsh*t.” Even Sydney Sweeney distanced herself from her role in the film during her SNL monologue. 

Given Madame Web’s numbers, it is better if Sony revamps its strategy like MCU. And Dakota Johnson has a point because “Venom 3” and “Kraven the Hunter” are to be released this year.