Nearly a year after the disappointing release of Madame Web, Dakota Johnson opens up about her experience with the Marvel character in a candid conversation, stating that most creative decisions on the film were outside her influence. Dakota Johnson discusses Madame Web flop and creative decisions, revealing her perspective on what went wrong during the film’s journey from concept to box office failure.
Johnson Reflects on Lack of Creative Control in ‘Madame Web’
Madame Web, directed by S.J. Clarkson and featuring Johnson as Cassandra Webb, debuted in February 2024 with a disappointing $25.8 million six-day launch, falling far below its significant $80 million production budget. The film starred Johnson alongside Sydney Sweeney as Julia Cornwall, Isabela Merced as Anya Corazon, and Celeste O’Connor’s Mattie Franklin, portraying a group of women targeted by a mysterious masked adversary.
Discussing her experience, Johnson said she felt unable to steer the film’s direction, referencing the way Sony Pictures approached decision-making for the project.
“I was just sort of along for the ride,”
—Dakota Johnson, Star of Madame Web
While promoting her new Celine Song movie Materialists, Johnson described the creative process behind Madame Web as driven by group decisions, not artistic vision.
“It wasn’t my fault. There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body. And it’s really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.”
—Dakota Johnson, Star of Madame Web
Creative Shifts Marked the Film’s Development
Johnson addressed the shifting narrative that occurred during production, revealing how the film changed from its original plan.
“Unfortunately, with ‘Madame Web,’ it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.”
—Dakota Johnson, Star of Madame Web
Reflecting on her experience, Johnson revealed her perspective on superhero movies.
“I don’t have a Band-Aid over it. There’s no part of me that’s like, ‘Oh, I’ll never do that again’ to anything. I’ve done even tiny movies that didn’t do well. Who cares?”
—Dakota Johnson, Star of Madame Web
Speaking to TheWrap previously, Johnson admitted the scope of the changes.
“There were drastic changes. And I can’t even tell you what they were,”
—Dakota Johnson, Star of Madame Web
The Impact of Committee-Driven Filmmaking
The discourse around Madame Web highlights ongoing concerns about big studio films and the influence of group decision-making. Johnson’s comments suggest that the Marvel character’s story under Sony Pictures became a product led by non-creative input, with several narrative changes that ultimately left the central actors unable to shape the final outcome.
Despite the tense and uneasy circumstances, Johnson remains open to future high-profile or superhero films, referencing both her work on Materialists and past projects. For now, the failed launch of Madame Web stands as an example of how creative direction and studio vision can collide, leaving even lead actors reflecting on decisions made far beyond their control.
