The Stardust of Spider-Man’s Madame Web Fades Out

First of all, can we just stop for a moment and bow our heads for Sony’s Madame Web? Remember when that all-ladies leading lineup hit the theaters earlier this year in all its glory? Sure feels like a century ago, doesn’t it? Promised to be the progenitor of a kaleidoscope of silken-spun spin-offs, it didn’t quite weave the box-office web it aimed for.

Despite dragging in a respectable $100 million, this wasn’t enough to balance the books. She might have been caught in a plot web that somewhat resembled a tangled ball of yarn, but streaming wise, the Madame did manage to emerge as a somewhat fluffed-up phoenix. But will it count for anything moving forward?

Web of Speculation

The rumor mill started spinning its own cobwebs as fans pondered a sequel. Is there going to be one? That is the $100 million question. Wistful fans are lying in wait, eyes glistening, hopeful that their heroine would return. However, the powers behind the cinematic wheel have yet to lift the veil of doubt.

The tentative nature of the sequel’s existence can be gleaned from producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura’s words. Social media was all a-twitter with his recent less-than-optimistic remarks about the future of the franchise. When asked about the likelihood of a ‘Madame Web 2′, his response didn’t exactly scream green-lit.

“I really don’t know. That was a heartbreaking experience in the theaters, I’ll tell ya that.” Draw from that what you will.

So while the web of mystery hasn’t quite been swept away, there still seems to be a silver lining. Our beloved Madame hasn’t been completely written off yet. And for that reason, fans can still hold onto that nugget of hope, fragile as it may be.

A Super-heroic Fail?

In case you missed it, Madame Web spins the tale of the titular character from the Spider-Man universe. Dakota Johnson donned the Madame Web suit, supported by an all-female main cast including Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor.

Despite the star lineup, the movie became the embodiment of the phrase “the critical flop.” Critics were far from pleased, and the fans’ sentiments echoed the same tune. Being described by Rotten Tomatoes’ critics as a “forgettable superhero adventure” was a bit of a punch in the gut while the audience chimes in with a lukewarm 57% rating.

Amidst the deluge of criticism, Madame Web told the origin story of Cassandra Webb (played by Dakota Johnson), a Manhattan paramedic who stumbles upon her powers to see the future, and more importantly, alter it. Along her journey, she forms relationships with three other young women, each carrying her own thread of destiny. An intriguing premise, indeed.

In short, ladies and gents, the Madame Web wave might’ve crashed headlong into the box-office shore, but it still managed to cause a bit of a ripple in the streaming circuit. Whether it’s enough to spawn a sequel? Time will tell.

So, did you catch the movie, in theaters or on Netflix? Would a sequel tickle your interests? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments below!