In another humdrum unimaginative revision of a classic comic book character, Hollywood sacrifices Madame Web starring Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney and Celeste O’Connor at the altar of diversity and girl power.
The classic comic book character, Madame Web (Cassandra Webb), a clairvoyant and precognitive mutant created by writer Denny O’Neil and artist John Romita Jr, first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #210 in November 1980. She was mostly a supporting character in the Spider-Man comic book series, where she appeared as an elderly woman with myasthenia gravis, connected to a life support system resembling a spiderweb designed by her husband Jonathan Webb.
Instead of listening to Mark Millar who said screenwriters can’t come up with anything, Hollywood screenwriters are showing their lack of imagination again by falling back on the tired old “go girl power” trope. Sydney Sweeny starring as Julia Carpenter said of Madam Web: “I can’t wait to be able to be next to the girls that I filmed with – Dakota and Isabela, and Celeste. We had so much fun together. And I’m really excited that it’s just gonna be a powerhouse of badass females for the world to see.” Hollywood screenwriters couldn’t come with anything other than the tired “badass females go girl power” trope in Madam Web with Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeny and Celeste O’Connor.
According to a synopsis of the movie Madam Web with Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeny and Celeste O’Connor: “’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.” It will be in cinemas on 14 February 20024. It will star Dakota Johnson as Madam Web, Sydney Sweeny as Julia Carpenter, Celeste O”Connor as a race-swapped Mattie Franklin and Tahar Rahim as the villain Ezekiel Sims.
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Madame Web, the Marvel comic book character is steeped in mystique and wisdom, traditionally portrayed as an elderly clairvoyant confined to a life support system resembling a spiderweb, serving as an ally and mentor to Spider-Man. Her strength lies not in physical prowess like the iconic web-slinger, but in the knowledge she possesses. This unique dynamic has positioned Madame Web as a “cerebral force” within the Spider-Man universe, akin to the role Professor X plays in the X-Men.
Hollywood missed a golden opportunity for an intriguing portrayal of Madam Web as a figure of sagacity and guidance, but instead opted to transform Madame Web into yet another young, agile crime-fighting protagonist. The anticipated narrative appears to embrace the familiar “Hero’s Journey” trope, steering away from Madame Web’s traditional role as a mentor and guide.
Let us know in the comments if you believe Hollywood should have taken a different direction with Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeny and Celeste O,Connor in Madam Web.
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