Dakota Johnson teases twists as ‘Madame Web’ hints at plans from ‘Spider’
Sony’s Madame Web is building excitement, thanks in part to an intriguing international promo featuring star Dakota Johnson and new casting that could reveal his connection to Spider-Man. No, we don’t mean the whole “He was in the Amazon with my mom when she was researching spiders right before she died” thing.
As we recently learned, Marvel Studios’ 2024 slate of films only includes Deadpool 3. Given the lackluster box office response to recent MCU films, Sony Pictures Entertainment is poised to take advantage of this if it plays its cards right with its upcoming Spider-Verse projects. Since Madame Web was the first to release, it has the added pressure of setting expectations for the others.
Will this make a good impression on moviegoers supposedly suffering from “superhero fatigue”? Dakota Johnson, Madame Web’s lead star, certainly thinks so, as she speaks highly of her role and predicts the film’s success in a new promotional video.
#MadamWeb #DakotaJohnson pic.twitter.com/5mjINUAmL3
— Betul (@BetoDraws) January 11, 2024
The video gives a sneak peek at the psychic character Johnson portrays, Cassandra Webb. She also teased viewers with the promise that they would love the film so much that they might even watch it twice. Could this be a hint that the film will actually have multiple endings?
Another potential lead that is being kept under wraps is the casting of Emma Roberts and Adam Scott and what roles they play. Although filming wrapped early last year, details about their roles are still scarce. This led to speculation that they could be portraying Peter Parker’s mother, Mary, and his beloved Uncle Ben, respectively.
Adam Scott’s portrayal of Uncle Ben, a key figure in the Spider-Man mythos, will bring a new perspective to the character. In Madame Web, Scott’s character is depicted as a young paramedic who briefly worked with Cassandra Webb before she evolved into a super-powered caregiver.
While the extent of Scott’s role remains uncertain, his appearance confirms the existence of Peter Parker in the Madame Web universe (not that it comes as a surprise) and adds a new spin, pardon the pun, to Ben Parker’s biography.
Plus, if Emma Roberts does play Mary Parker, it will be the first time Peter Parker’s mom has been portrayed with real depth. In previous Spider-Man films, the future Wallcrawler’s biological parents were simply portrayed in backstories, with the exception of The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and The Amazing Man 2, which featured Richard Parker (played by Campbell Scott) in detail. Interestingly, Sony has not released any promotional images of Emma Roberts, adding fuel to the speculation.
In the comics, Richard and Mary Parker were CIA agents on secret missions during the Cold War. If Madame Web takes a page from comic book history, Mary’s role could prove crucial in uncovering a larger conspiracy involving Ezekiel Sims and Madame Web.
After a near-fatal accident, Cassandra is sent on a mission to protect three women—Julia Carpenter (Sydney Sweeney), Mattie Franklin (Celeste O’Connor) and Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced)—from the ruthless Ezekiel Sims.
Her journey uncovers the mystery of her mother’s disappearance, culminating in her adopting the moniker “Madame Web” when she becomes the mentor of three young women chosen by Spider Totem.
With the potential addition of Spider-Man’s mother and a younger version of Uncle Ben, the film’s plot could shape Sony’s future plans to create an entirely new direction for their Spider-Man, separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – but where does that leave the rumored Amazing Man? Andrew Garfield’s Spider 3?
Madame Web will be released in theaters on February 14, 2024.