Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web is getting a standalone treatment as opposed to other famous franchises under Marvel Studios, but even though it falls under Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, it remains its own narrative. This creative decision from the producer of the movie aims to combat the so-called “superhero fatigue.”
Madame Web will follow the story of Cassandra Webb, a paramedic turned psychic who forges a relationship with three young women bound to become superheroes. Apart from Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, and Isabela Merced also appear in the film.
Madame Web Producer Fights Superhero Fatigue With A Standalone Movie
In an exclusive interview with Comic Book, Madame Web producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura explained the reason behind choosing to tell the story of Dakota Johnson’s Cassandra Webb independently from other Spider-Man narratives or other Sony characters.
“We made a decision early on that the advantage in this story was not to attach it to all these other stories. We tip the hat. But really, we wanted to concentrate on a character journey, and I think some of the superhero fatigue that people talk about is because those movies are often not about the central character.”
Superhero fatigue began to plague the Marvel community during the pandemic when the studio released an onslaught of movie and series content. The producer and the Madame Web team plan to fight this disease by releasing a standalone film.
“And so we felt it was a stronger choice for us to say, ‘This is Madame Web’s story.’ She comes out of the Spider-Man comic books, but it’s not part of this other giant thing. It is its own standalone, which gave the freedom to really tell the character story.”
Johnson previously teased the film as something she has never done before. The Fifty Shades of Grey actress also admitted that no amount of preparation could have equipped her for the role, though she’s very happy to have been given the opportunity to play a superhero in her career.
Fans Are Not Convinced With Madame Web’s Strategy
Madame Web director SJ Clarkson, who also helmed Jessica Jones, echoed the same statement about the film’s nature via Entertainment Weekly and admitted she had enough creative freedom to go about the project without thinking of its connection to other franchises.
“She’s definitely in a standalone world. I was able to just have free rein and let the movie be what it needed to be, as opposed to trying to force it into something else. That was a gift, in a way, to be able to take something and bring a fresh and I hope original take to it.”
Despite the attempt to appease the fans, many insisted that superhero fatigue has nothing to do with interconnected franchises but more with the scripts, characters, and overall execution of the movie. Others just expressed their complete disinterest in Madame Web.
Now I’m definitely even less interested in it
— Generic Marketable Plushie (@The_Last_One_in) February 13, 2024
Superhero fatigue isn't because of connections to other projects, but more to do with making a proper script, ensuring great character development, action sequences and VFX. And also not releasing too many projects.
— Ryan Paul (@RyanPaulZ95) February 13, 2024
Nope
Got it all wrong
That has nothing to do with Superhero fatigue
Literally no one even wants to see it— D.U.B.E.M (@therealokeke) February 13, 2024
More like shouldn't been made in the first place
— DHR FIGHTER STUDIOS 💥 (@DevinHughe6280) February 13, 2024
There’s no superhero fatigue. It’s mediocre movie fatigue and Madame Web will only add to that exact fatigue.
— Skymiibo (@SkymiiboTWD) February 13, 2024
so now this movie goes from a flop to straight unwatchable. This will be the biggest flop of all the sony comic movies
— Danny D (@CulverzKingSTG) February 13, 2024
Only time will tell if the audience will change their minds about Madame Web, so be sure to catch it in theaters on February 14, 2024.
