It seems like Madame Web might not be the movie everyone thought it would be. Dakota Johnson’s appearance in X-Men: Dark Phoenix has been pushed back to 2020, which leaves her schedule wide open for another project – and now fans are wondering if she will appear as a character from “The New Mutants.”
Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web movie might not be what you’re expecting. The movie is currently in development, but the project has been put on hold due to Dakota Johnson’s scheduling conflicts.
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has earned a distinct reputation in the ever-evolving world of superhero film franchises. The series, which aims to create live-action films based on Spider-Man-related characters that (for the most part) exist outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man flicks, has made some surprising and interesting choices along the way. So far, this has included two Venom sequels, a long-awaited Morbius picture, and a number of other film and television projects in the works. On Thursday, Sony’s Marvel ambitions startled the Internet once again when it was revealed that Dakota Johnson is in discussions to feature in a standalone film as Madame Web.
Madame Web had been reported to be in the works in some form or another since 2019, with Jessica Jones alum S.J. Clarkson set to helm, but this casting news baffled the Internet, particularly considering Madame Web’s unique place in the Marvel Comics universe. Cassandra Webb, the original incarnation of the character, is often shown as a blind, superpowered old lady who is tied to a spiderweb-like life support system and serves more as a story device for other heroes and villains than as an independent superhero. This fact caused viewers to wonder not just why Johnson, 32, was cast as Madame Web, but also what a Madame Web movie would be about, with memes and copypasta swiftly arising from the character’s brief appearance in the comics. While we’re still a long way from seeing Madame Web become a reality, there’s a possibility that the project may turn out to be something quite different from what the Internet (and even some journalists) have assumed. Sure, it may wind up being a “young Cassandra Webb” film, but it could also be a film about Julia Carpenter, her successor.
Julia was accidently granted superpowers in a secret government research conducted by The Commission, and she started to operate as the second Spider-Woman. Julia was created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck in 1984’s Secret Wars storyline. Julia broke ranks and became a real hero after working for the corrupt government-created team Freedom Force. She was later admitted into the West Coast Avengers, the Secret Defenders, and Force Works. She also took part in a number of solo missions, including one against Death Web, an organization that was also granted superpowers by The Commission. Julia moved aside from being a superhero after the abduction of her daughter Rachel, only to return decades later as Arachne in the events of Civil War. Just before Cassandra Webb died, she was granted Madame Web’s talents – as well as her blindness. Julia faced with the events of Spider-Island, as well as the Spider-Verse and Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy arcs, as Madame Web.
It’s much simpler to envisage the possible plot of a Madame Web movie when you break down Julia’s comic career — the tale of a feisty young lady and mother who works as a superhero and ultimately gets the psychic abilities and responsibilities of Madame Web. The film could theoretically be a combination of Julia’s original origin tale and the period she took on the role of Madame Web, with Cassandra’s legacy woven in. In a roundabout sense, this would enable the film to build any combination of previously unseen Spider-lore, such as Spider-Island, The Commission, and anything else Julia is linked to. Johnson, who has become a bit of an indie darling with films like Suspiria, The Lost Daughter, and the forthcoming Cha Cha Real Smooth, is also a strong contender for the part of Julia.
If that’s the case, it’d make sense for Julia’s solo film to be dubbed Madame Web, particularly considering Sony’s other Marvel projects in the works. In instance, Olivia Wilde was supposed to write and direct a female-led Marvel film in 2020, with rumours claiming that it will center on the original Jessica Drew form of Spider-Woman. Because the movie version of Julia would be functioning as Madame Web from the outset, the movies could establish both Jessica and Julia at the same time without causing confusion.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that the Madame Web film may star Johnson as Cassandra Webb and attempt to provide a previously untold origin narrative for one of Spider-most Man’s aesthetically fascinating adversaries. But, when more information about the Madame Web film becomes out, don’t be shocked if it ends up mirroring Julia Carpenter’s tale.
Which version of Madame Web do you think will be included in Sony’s film? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
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