Kristina Roberts
Dakota Johnson, the actress known for her roles in movies like Fifty Shades of Grey, recently talked about the disappointing performance of Madame Web, a film that was supposed to be part of Sony’s Spider-Man universe but ended up being a huge flop. The movie, which came out last year, cost around $100 million to make but only earned $15 million at the box office, making it one of the biggest failures in recent years. While many people have blamed different factors for the movie’s poor reception, Johnson has now shared her side of the story, making it clear that she doesn’t believe the failure was her fault.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Johnson was asked about Madame Web, a film that might follow her for the rest of her career. She didn’t hold back in explaining why she thinks the movie didn’t work. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said firmly. She went on to explain that one of the biggest problems was how the movie was made. “These days, a lot of creative decisions are made by groups of people, sometimes even by those who don’t really understand creativity. It’s really hard to make good art or even something entertaining that way.” Johnson suggested that the original vision for Madame Web changed over time, and by the time she was involved, she felt like she was just going along with whatever was happening. “The movie started as one thing and turned into something else. I was just part of the process, but sometimes big-budget movies fail, and that’s what happened here.”
Even though the movie didn’t do well, Johnson doesn’t seem too upset about it. She said, “I don’t have a Band-Aid over it. There’s no part of me that thinks, ‘Oh, I’ll never do that again.’” However, this seems a little different from what she told Bustle magazine just a month after Madame Web was released. At that time, she sounded more frustrated, but now she appears to have moved on.
Instead of dwelling on the past, Johnson is focusing on new projects. She has been working on smaller, more independent films, which might give her more creative control. One of these films, Splitsville, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. She is also starring in Materialists, a movie by Celine Song, who directed the well-received film Past Lives. Another project she’s involved in is Verity, a thriller directed by Michael Showalter. These choices show that Johnson is leaning towards films that allow her to work closely with directors and writers who have a strong artistic vision, unlike what happened with Madame Web.
The failure of Madame Web wasn’t just about the money it lost. The movie was also heavily criticized by fans and reviewers for its weak story, confusing plot, and lack of excitement. Many people compared it to other unsuccessful superhero movies, saying it didn’t bring anything new to the genre. Some even joked that it was one of the worst Spider-Man-related films ever made. Despite all this, Johnson isn’t letting the negativity affect her career. She seems determined to keep acting in projects that she believes in, whether they’re big blockbusters or smaller, more personal films.
Johnson’s honesty about Madame Web is refreshing. Instead of avoiding the topic or making excuses, she openly talked about the challenges of making a movie when too many people are involved in the decision-making. Her comments highlight a common problem in Hollywood, where big studios sometimes interfere too much, leading to films that feel disconnected from the original idea. While some actors might stay quiet after a movie flops, Johnson chose to speak up, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at what really went wrong.
Even though Madame Web didn’t succeed, Johnson’s career is far from over. She continues to take on interesting roles and work with talented filmmakers. Her ability to move past a major setback shows her resilience and dedication to her craft. Whether she returns to big-budget films or sticks to indie projects, one thing is clear—Dakota Johnson isn’t letting one bad experience define her. Instead, she’s using it as a lesson to choose her future roles more carefully, ensuring that she’s part of stories she truly believes in.
As for Madame Web, it will likely remain a cautionary tale in Hollywood—a reminder of what can happen when too many cooks spoil the broth. But for Dakota Johnson, it’s just one chapter in a long and evolving career. She’s already looking ahead, ready to prove that she’s more than just a failed superhero movie. With her talent and determination, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to make her mark in the film industry, one role at a time.
