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More than a year after the ‘Madame Web’ movie underperformed at the box office, Dakota Johnson is offering insight into why the superhero film missed the mark. In a candid conversation with the Los Angeles Times, the 35-year-old actress reflected on her experience with the 2024 Marvel spinoff and why she’s now more drawn to character-driven indie films.
While speaking alongside director Celine Song about their new romantic comedy ‘Materialists’, Dakota Johnson made it clear that the failure of ‘Madame Web’ wasn’t something she took personally. She pointed out that in big studio productions, creative decisions are often dictated by committees or individuals lacking a deep understanding of storytelling or artistic vision. For Dakota Johnson, this approach makes it difficult to produce authentic or entertaining work.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
According to the ‘Fifty Shades’ star, ‘Madame Web’ began with promise but eventually became a very different project than initially imagined. Once the shift occurred, she found herself along for the ride—something she acknowledges can happen with large-scale productions. Johnson also noted that big-budget films fail frequently, suggesting that the movie's outcome wasn’t an unusual case in the industry.
Starring alongside Sydney Sweeney and others, Dakota Johnson portrayed Cassandra Webb, a woman who develops clairvoyant powers and can see future events. Although the film draws from ‘Spider-Man’ lore, it never directly connects to the existing cinematic universe featuring Tom Holland. Despite high expectations, the film was critically panned and even picked up multiple Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture and Worst Actress.
Dakota Johnson Shares The Film's Impact on Her Career
Despite the backlash, Johnson expressed little concern about the film’s impact on her career. She shared that she doesn’t dwell on failures, big or small. For her, every project—whether a major studio film or an under-the-radar indie—is a part of the journey. She emphasised that she's worked on small films that didn’t perform well, and that’s never stopped her from exploring new roles.
Shifting away from superhero territory, Dakota Johnson now stars in ‘Materialists’, a romantic comedy that allows her to dive deeper into character and emotion. In the film, she plays a Manhattan matchmaker navigating complicated feelings between her charming ex (played by Chris Evans) and a new romantic interest (played by Pedro Pascal).
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Image Courtesy: Getty
When asked why she hadn’t pursued more romantic comedies before, Dakota Johnson explained that many scripts she reads lack emotional depth and relatability. What drew her to ‘Materialists’ was Song’s heartfelt writing and the opportunity to connect meaningfully with the characters.
‘Materialists’ opens in theatres on 13th June and marks a fresh chapter for Dakota Johnson as she continues to seek roles that blend heart, soul, and authenticity, far removed from the blockbuster formulas that shaped earlier parts of her career.
