Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura is experienced in big projects. In the ’90s, he worked at Warner Bros. and played a major role in getting The Matrix made and getting the rights to the Harry Potter books. Recently, he partnered with Sony to bring Madame Web to the screen.
Madame Web is the newest big project for Di Bonaventura, who recently worked on Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Meg 2: The Trench, and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, all released last year.
Despite his work, he has made a controversial comment about Marvel and DC movies. As a result, he is getting a lot of criticism online. The producer believes that numerous comic book movies are currently facing difficulties because they seem like “homework” to viewers.
Madame Web Producer Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Marvel and DC
In an interview with Discussing Films, the producer of Madame Web was asked about the struggle of recent comic book films at the box office and whether audiences are experiencing superhero fatigue.
To this, Lorenzo di Bonaventura said that both Marvel and DC movies have “gotten away from what made” earlier films like Iron Man and Christopher Nolan‘s Batman successful—which were character-driven stories.
He argued that focusing on connecting different cinematic universes detracts “away from the emotional journey of the central characters.” The 67-year-old continued, saying:
“So, for me, part of the fatigue is that you have to keep track of everything now. You know, it’s almost like homework. With Madame Web, you don’t have to know anything coming into the movie. You’re going to meet a new character and then go on an emotional journey with them. That leads to my second point, a lot of recent superhero movies have also gone away from the thing that really works about having extraordinary characters, which is getting to know them and then going on a ride together. That makes it more character-based and therefore engaging, it’s not just about the spectacle. Trust me, if you’ve seen some of my movies, I love spectacle. But when spectacle for its own sake begins to wear a film down, I think there’s a lesson to be learned.”
The producer said people are tired of superhero movies because they’re too complicated to follow. He thinks Madame Web can fix this because it’s a new story without any background needed. But he’s getting mega-trolled for his words. Check out some fan reactions:
*Proceeds to make a trash comic book movie*
— Joey (@gothamhiphop) February 15, 2024
Maybe you should’ve done yours
— TheColeBrew (@TheColeBrewTv) February 16, 2024
I stopped reading when I saw The producer of ‘MADAME WEB’
— Cinematografia. (@Cinematografiaz) February 15, 2024
This thinking is why comic book movies are struggling.
— The Moonlight Warrior 🌙 (@BlackMajikMan90) February 15, 2024
Madame Web is not home work, it’s a full thesis. Bad dialogue, bad editing, it’s just bad all around.
— ∂αιℓуσ∂∂ѕ (@DailyoddsX_Ng) February 15, 2024
Madame Web didn’t do well in terms of many elements, so his criticism of superhero movies like Marvel and DC has angered some fans.
They believe he’s being hypocritical since he himself is involved in a comic book film and is also promoting the same project. This has led to online trolling from fans who feel defensive about their favorite superhero movies.
Why is Madame Web Receiving Poor Reception?
Sony released its first Madame Web film this year. The studio is also adding Kraven the Hunter and Venom 3 to their Spider-Man Universe in 2024. But, the Madame Web flick has been getting negative reviews lately.
The film is based on a Marvel Comics character. It’s directed by SJ Clarkson and stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in New York City.
Cassandra gains clairvoyant powers and uses them to rescue three teenage girls from a villain named Ezekiel Sims, played by Tahar Rahim.
The reviews for Madame Web are out, and they’re not good at all. The film is not liked by critics and Spider-Man fans alike. The movie suffers because of its dull dialogue and cliché lines in the script. With this, it has become another disappointing addition to Sony’s lineup of Spider-Man spin-offs.
Watch Madame Web in nearby theatres, which is now currently screening.
