Madame Web Producer Discusses Backlash and ‘Brutalness of Failure’

When Madame Web premiered in February, it became both a box office and critical failure. Superhero film producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura opened up about the backlash and the “brutalness of failure.”

The MCU had its fair share of flops in 2023 with movies like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. While Deadpool & Wolverine might help Marvel regain its footing, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe seems to need a bit of luck.

At SDCC 2024, Madame Web producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura expressed his disappointment to ComicBook regarding the film’s performance:

“Yeah, that was a heartbreaking experience in the theater. So I’ll tell you that,” Bonaventura said. “Like an ax in the head.”

Madame Web had been expected to gross between $20-25 million during its six-day opening. It managed to reach $25.8 million in that period but then saw a significant 61% drop in its second weekend with only $6 million. With a reported budget of $80-100 million, the film ended up making $100.3 million. However, Madame Web did achieve success on Netflix, hitting the number one spot when it streamed there. The Transformers One producer explained the harsh reality of box office numbers compared to streaming:

“I think one of the things, and this is a longer conversation which I’d be happy to have, is that we don’t know how to judge failure or success with streaming,” said the G.I. Joe series producer. “Opening weekend when it doesn’t work, you just got slammed side of your head. And so the brutalness of failure really makes you concentrate on the next movie. I don’t want that experience again. It’s a harsher experience. That influences the kind of movies I consider now. Like, alright, how am I going to approach this?”

Dakota Johnson, who played the movie’s main role, reacted to the film’s negative reception by suggesting she might avoid superhero movies in the future and expressed understanding regarding Madame Web’s failure:

“Sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something and it’s one thing, and then as you’re making it, it becomes something completely different,” Johnson stated. “You’re like, wait, what? It was a real learning experience. Of course, it’s not nice to be part of something that’s ripped to shreds, but I can’t say that I don’t understand.”

Sydney Sweeney, who played Julia Cornwall, took a more straightforward approach and seemed unbothered by the movie’s poor reception:

“I was just hired as an actress in it, so I was just along for the ride for whatever was going to happen,” she said.

Emma Roberts, who portrayed Peter Parker’s mom Mary, defended Madame Web, attributing its failure to internet culture:

“I personally really loved Madame Web. I really enjoyed the movie. I thought everyone in it was great. The director, S.J. Clarkson, did an amazing job. She’s the reason I wanted to do that movie,” said Roberts. “If it wasn’t for internet culture and everything being made into a joke, I think the reception would’ve been different. That bums me out about a lot of stuff, even things I’ve done. People just make such a joke out of everything now.”

Madame Web is available to stream now on Netflix.

Source: ComicBook