Dakota Johnson did not foresee the backlash to Madame Web.
In a recent interview with Bustle, Johnson got candid about the film, sharing her perspective on the whole viral mess. “I had never done anything like [Madame Web] before,” the actor said. “I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now.”
Debuting in theaters last month, Madame Web received overwhelmingly bad reviews from critics and fans alike. Johnson starred as the titular lead in the film, which is part of Sony’s larger Spider-Man franchise but was intended to launch its own series within that universe. Following a chaotic press tour that saw Johnson disregard typical Hollywood media training (as she is wont to do), the film bombed at the box office, causing Sony to rethink its cinematic universe plans.
Johnson did not mince words when it came to her thoughts on Madame Web as a film, either. “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,” the actor told Bustle. “Of course it’s not nice to be a part of something that’s ripped to shreds, but I can’t say that I don’t understand.”
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Ultimately, the actor hinted that studio interference was, at least in part, to blame for Madame Web’s failure: “It’s so hard to get movies made, and in these big movies that get made — and it’s even starting to happen with the little ones, which is what’s really freaking me out — decisions are being made by committees, and art does not do well when it’s made by committee. Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms.”
In late January, Johnson hosted Saturday Night Live ahead of Madame Web’s release in theaters. If you missed the episode, check out our primer of the five best sketches.
