In light of Spider-Man: No Way Home’s success, Sony is pushing its own Friendly Neighbourhood universe. One of the planned spin-offs includes Madame Web and the studio has reportedly found its main star.
Reported by Deadline, Dakota Johnson is in talks to play Sony-Marvel’s first female lead character. In the comics, Madame Web is usually an elderly woman who's been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, and is attached to a life support machine. The wiring of the device resembles a spider’s web, hence the name.
Spider-Man Spin-Off Movie Casts Dakota Johnson as Madame Web
As Johnson is younger and given the fact she’s getting her own movie, it’s likely Madame Web will be portrayed differently onscreen.
The forthcoming adaptation marks the first big-budget film in years for Johnson. Following her breakout role in the Fifty Shades franchise, the actress has mostly starred in low-profile productions like Suspiria and The Peanut Butter Falcon. She’s coming off the critically-acclaimed The Lost Daughter, which is tipped for several awards.
Madame Web will expand the Sony-Marvel universe, which initially began with Venom. Even though Eddie brock returned with Let There Be Carnage, Venom could’ve played a much bigger role in No Way Home.
The long-delayed Morbius is the next anti-hero being brought to the big screen, while Kraven The Hunter is set to receive his own movie next year.
S.J. Clarkson will direct Madame Web and has had previous experience in the Marvel atmosphere. Having directed several episodes from The Defenders and Jessica Jones, Clarkson is looking to transition to the silver screen.