As a kid growing up reading Marvel Comics, I always hoped there would be movies of the X-Men and Spider-Man, and as time went on and things like Batman became massive blockbusters, I started to think they would. But never, in all my years, even after Iron Man launched an entire cinematic universe of Marvel characters did I find myself wondering “When is it going to be Madame Web’s turn?”
Reader, it is Madame Web’s turn.
In defiance of all of my presumptions about what makes a good superhero movie or what fans of the genre are looking for, Sony has made a Madame Web film, which is technically spun off from their Spider-Man franchise (or at least made using screen rights they hold thanks to it). The original Madame Web character of the comics was a blind woman who sat in a magical chair and told Spider-Man prophecies about the future. I don’t think it is a spoiler to say: That is not quite the movie Sony decided to make.
Instead, Dakota Johnson stars as a young paramedic who is in an accident and then gains clairvoyant powers, which she then uses to stop a vaguely Spider-Man-y looking villain. Check out the trailer for the film below:
READ MORE: Every Spider-Man Movie Ranked, From Worst to Best
Madame Web says this villain is “Ezekiel Sims” who is a character from Marvel — although typically he is portrayed as an enigmatic character with spider abilities, who supports and helps heroes like Peter Parker learn more about their own powers. Clearly, this film went in a different direction…
Here is the film’s official synopsis:
‘Meanwhile, in another universe…’ In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic heroines. The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures…if they can all survive a deadly present.
Madame Web is scheduled to open in theaters on February 14, 2024. And a more romantic movie to watch on Valentine’s Day I cannot imagine.
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