Dakota Johnson to Portray Sony’s Madame Web
Here comes Sony’s next big Marvel character entrance
It looks like Sony have found their Madame Web. Deadline has reported that Fifty Shades star Dakota Johnson is lined up to play the Marvel superhero in the character’s first live-action film. Reports say that Sony have been meeting with various A-list actors over the past few months in relation to the role. It was before Christmas that Johnson became the front-runner for the role in the studio’s eyes.
Madame Web is a character traditionally depicted as an elderly woman who has myasthenia gravis. Because of this, she is connected to life support system that is fashioned like a large spider-web. She is not a superhero character in the traditional sense of fighting crime, however she does entwine with various Marvel characters. She even played a major role in the animated Amazing Spider-Man cartoon series in the 90s.
Because of the fact the character does not have much potential for action sequences etc. Deadline’s sources have also stressed that the project could potentially turn into something other than a solo movie outing for the character.
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The development of a Madame Web movie comes after Sony’s successful run of solo outings for Marvel characters. This started with Venom in 2018 starring Tom Hardy as both Eddie Brock and the title character. The film went on to spawn a sequel which released in 2021 after various delays due to COVID-19. We also have Morbius: The Living Vampire coming out, which is soon to be released after also being hit by the COVID-19 delay bug. This will star Suicide Squad‘s Jared Leto in the title role of Michael Morbius, with supporting cast members including Chernobyl‘s Jared Harris and The Crown‘s Matt Smith.
Johnson herself has built up an impressive filmography, which includes the likes of 21 Jump Street and The Social Network. Her breakout role however came in the shape of the movie adaptations of the Fifty Shades book series. The actress portrayed the female lead, Anastasia Steele, alongside Jamie Dornan’s Christian Grey.
The project is currently set to be directed by Succession‘s S.J. Clarkson. Clarkson also acted as lead director and executive producer on Marvel’s The Defenders and Jessica Jones. The script has also been penned by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless.
Sony’s Madame Web movie currently does not have a release date.