During her recent press tour, Dakota Johnson spoke candidly about the lack of success for her Marvel film, Madame Web, and addressed public interest in her breakup with Chris Martin, making it clear that she does not accept blame for the movie‘s outcome. Dakota Johnson reflects on Madame Web failure and breakup as she navigates professional and personal challenges in the public eye.
Johnson Addresses Madame Web’s Poor Reception
Dakota Johnson discussed the disappointing performance of Madame Web, emphasizing that the creative decisions were not entirely in her control. The film, directed by SJ Clarkson, saw lackluster box office returns with just $43 million domestically and received only an 11 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Johnson played Cassandra Webb, a paramedic who gains the power to foresee the future after a life-threatening event.
Reflecting on the experience, Johnson directly responded to criticism:
“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. And I think, 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, Actor
Despite the film‘s reception with critics and audiences, Johnson indicated she does not feel marked by the experience:
“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, Actor
Spotlight on Johnson’s Personal Life and Recent Breakup
While Dakota Johnson’s recent professional endeavors have kept her in the spotlight, her personal life has also drawn significant attention. Reports surfaced that Johnson and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin ended their relationship after eight years together, as noted by People. The news came as Johnson was making media appearances for her latest film.
Johnson chose not to speak publicly about the breakup during her interview on Late Night With Seth Meyers. The night before her appearance, she was seen leaving The Greenwich Hotel in New York City. The separation with Martin coincided with her high-profile press obligations, highlighting the challenges of balancing personal and public spheres.
New Film and Press Tour
Amidst these personal developments, Johnson is actively promoting her new project, Materialists, an A24 film directed and written by Celine Song, the Oscar-nominated creator of Past Lives. During her appearance with Seth Meyers, she expressed strong admiration for Song’s previous work and engaged in a lighthearted discussion about Materialists, which both honors and twists romantic comedy conventions. The film stars Johnson alongside Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, marking her return to the genre since her role in How to Be Single in 2016.
The events surrounding Johnson’s comments, her recent breakup, and the premiere of a new film have placed her at the forefront of entertainment news, with reactions from critics, audiences, and industry voices weighing in on both her career trajectory and personal life.
Impact of Madame Web and Looking Forward
As Dakota Johnson reflects on Madame Web failure and breakup, her candid remarks highlight the turbulent complexity of working in large-scale studio films and navigating high-profile relationships. The comments shed light on broader industry challenges, such as the influence of creative committees and shifting artistic direction. With a new film on the horizon and media attention surrounding her personal life, Johnson’s ability to speak openly may shape perceptions of both her resilience and the realities faced by artists in Hollywood.
