In a recent interview with Bustle, Dakota Johnson voiced her thoughts on her fit within the superhero genre, especially after the lackluster performance of Sony’s ‘Madame Web.’
During the conversation, Johnson shared insights on the difficulties plaguing the movie industry, especially the creative compromises stemming from committee-led decisions:
“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. My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they’re not. Audiences will always be able to sniff out bullsh*t. Even if films start to be made with AI, humans aren’t going to f*cking want to see those.”
Reflecting on her experience with ‘Madame Web,’ Johnson indicated that the role was different from her usual projects. Signaling a potential departure from such roles in the future, she admitted:
“It was definitely an experience for me to make that movie. I had never done anything like it before. I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now. But 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 a real learning experience, and 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.”
The movie, which is a part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, received critical and commercial challenges after its release.
Johnson Didn’t Even Watch ‘Madame Web’ Herself
In another interview that took place last month, Johnson revealed that she has not watched ‘Madame Web’ since its release:
“I haven’t actually seen the movie [Laughs]. I probably won’t…I don’t know when I’ll see it. Someday.”
Johnson’s humorous but misinformed comments about Spider-Man movies during a chat with MTV also received social media criticism. You can read the details here.
‘Madame Web’ struggled at the box office, securing just $40 million domestically and not crossing the $100 million mark worldwide, after three weeks since its release. The film, which had a production budget of over $100 million, managed a worldwide gross of $91.2 million, falling short of breaking even when considering additional marketing expenses. Critics have been equally unkind, with the film holding a 12% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 225 reviews and audience approval standing at 57%.
‘Madame Web’ continues to play in theaters nationwide.
