Sydney Sweeney played the role of Julia Cornwall, aka Spider-Woman, in the latest film from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, Madame Web. The film received major criticism for its underwhelming plot, thinly written characters, and wooden acting. In a recent interview, Sweeney revealed that she was excited to be a part of the MCU. Fans began pitying the Euphoria actress for not knowing the difference between the SSU and the MCU.
However, it is entirely possible that the MCU may use the character in any of the future Spider-Man movies. Fans also suggested that Sweeney should be actually given a better role in one of the MCU films, possibly as a member of the X-Men.
Sydney Sweeney Believes Her Madame Web Role Is In The MCU
During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Sydney Sweeney was asked whether she was excited to join the MCU with her new film, Madame Web. Sweeney revealed that she was excited to join the franchise, and it was an honor for her. She also added that it was hard for her not to talk about it since she talked too much. The Anyone But You actress told ET Now (via Cosmic Marvel):
“That I can’t talk about it. It’s so hard because I talk so much … It was amazing, It was incredible, I’m so excited … I’m just really honoured to be a part of this.”
However, Sweeney’s character currently has no connection to the MCU. Julia Cornwall, aka Spider-Woman, is currently a property belonging to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Fans doubt whether Sony is intentionally using their shared universe with Marvel to hire popular actors into the SSU. One fan on X suggested that not just Sweeney but actors like Matt Smith, Adam Scott, and Dakota Johnson also could have believed they were joining the MCU when they signed up for Madame Web.
Another fan also called out Sony, alleging that the studio was not making it clear to the actors about what they were joining. One comment pointed out how Bad Bunny earlier believed that he was in the MCU with El Muerto. Other commentators really felt bad for Sweeney, who they believed was being lied to. Several fan reactions read:
Who's gonna tell her? https://t.co/bgtmLR4ycH
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) February 18, 2024
I bet actors like Matt Smith, Adam Scott and Dakota Johnson all thought they were joining the MCU when they signed-up for their Sony Spidermanless Spider-Verse films…
— Richard Johnson (@richardetcetera) February 18, 2024
I know everyone’s dunking on her for not knowing the difference between the Sony movies and the MCU… but I would not put it past Sony to lie to actors, and tell them it’s an MCU movie to get them to sign the dotted line.
— Brian K Anderson (@Brian_KA) February 18, 2024
It’s so sad how Sony is lying to those actors 😭
— Matt Black (@DJ_Matt_Black) February 18, 2024
Its my idea or sony has been using the "you will be part of the mcu" card in many actors??? Remember Bad Bunny also believed he was joining the mcu
— Ronald Baidal (@RBaidalB2099) February 18, 2024
Oh man… I already felt bad for her too…
— Vincent Perrone (@futuremoview) February 18, 2024
The fan reactions were especially bad news for Sony since they really messed up with the film. A Spider-Man-less SSU film with an unpopular character as the lead was a bad move from the beginning. The film further did nothing right to save itself from becoming a box office disaster.
Sydney Sweeney’s Madame Web Was a Complete Disappointment
Madame Web explored the origin story of paramedic-turned-clairvoyant superhero, Cassandra Webb, aka Madame Web. In the film, she tries to save three young girls, played by Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor, who are hunted by another clairvoyant villain, Ezekiel Sims. While the premise appeared good on paper, the execution of the film under S. J. Clarkson failed miserably.
Madame Web‘s Rotten Tomatoes score currently stands at an abysmally low 13%. The film’s trailer was brutally trolled for the wooden dialogues of the characters, which became even worse in the actual film. Some of the best actors performed far below expectations, delivering distasteful one-liners throughout the film.
Several critics called the film “the worst comic book movie” yet (via Forbes), while some summarized the entire plot as an “embarrassing mess” (via The Independent). Any hope for a better theatrical movie was immediately shattered when Sony didn’t lift the review embargo on the film until the last minute. The film also did not have wide screenings for critics, hinting at Sony’s low confidence in the film.
Madame Web hit theaters on Valentine’s Day, and the 3-day opening weekend collection of the film stood at $17.6 million (via Variety). The film has grossed $25.8 million in the first week, marking the worst opening for an SSU film.
