Dakota Johnson distances herself from Madame Web debacle, blames it on people ‘who don’t have a creative bone in their body’

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Dakota Johnson explains why Madame Web flopped

In a new interview with The Los Angeles Times, the 35-year-old criticised studio decisions that, according to her, ruined the project. Dakota gave a blunt response, blaming the downfall on people “who don’t have a creative bone in their body.” She said Madame Web started as one thing but turned into something completely different by the time they were actually shooting. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said, laughing at how she got targeted, when in reality, she never felt responsible for the failure. Instead, she revealed feeling like a passenger on a chaotic ride, not the one driving. “There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. And it’s really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.”

Acknowledging that “bigger-budget movies fail all the time,” she also made it clear she’s not losing sleep over it. “There’s no part of me that’s like, ‘Oh, I’ll never do that again’ to anything. I’ve done even tiny movies that didn’t do well. Who cares?” In a previous interview with Bustle, the actor said she won’t be doing another superhero movie anytime soon because, in her words, “I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now.” Madame Web was reportedly made on a budget of $80 million but earned just around $100 million. In the film, Dakota plays Cassandra Webb, a New York paramedic with psychic powers, tasked with protecting three teenage girls. Back in 2024, Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra blamed the press for “crucifying” the movie before the audience even had a chance to give their verdict. He also claimed the film did “great on Netflix” and pointed fingers at critics for “destroying the movie,” simply because they never wanted Sony to make these Spider-Man spinoffs.

Also read: Madame Web movie review: Dakota Johnson can’t save this dreary film

About Dakota Johnson’s Materialists

The daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, Dakota has struggled to find her way in Hollywood post the Fifty Shades trilogy. With the upcoming Celine Song directorial (the acclaimed filmmaker behind Past Lives), she’s finally trying her luck in a romantic comedy. In the story, Dakota plays a professional matchmaker who, in her personal life, is torn between her perfect suitor and the ex who never really left her mind. The film also stars Zoe Winters, Marin Ireland, Dasha Nekrasova, Louisa Jacobson, and Sawyer Spielberg, and hits theatres on June 13.