“It wasn’t my fault” - Dakota Johnson Steers Clear of ‘Madame Web's Failure, Says Decisions Were Made by Uncreative People

Dakota Johnson entered the superhero sphere with Madame Web, Sony’s 2024 attempt to breathe life into its Spider-Man spin-offs. Playing Cassandra Webb, a clairvoyant paramedic, Johnson led a film that aimed high but landed with a thud. Despite star power from Johnson and Sydney Sweeney, the movie faltered, earning a dismal 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and just edging past the $100 million mark.
Now, over a year after the movie's release, Johnson finally spoke about Madame Web’s downfall, distancing herself from the failure.
Not her flop to own: Dakota Johnson speaks out on Madame Web failure
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In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Dakota Johnson opened up about the downfall of Madame Web while speaking with Materialists director Celine Song. Laughing off the blame, Johnson stated, “It wasn’t my fault,” making it clear she did not feel responsible for the film’s failure. She explained that the creative direction was largely shaped by “people who don’t have a creative bone in their body,” which ultimately derailed the project. The movie, she said, shifted from its original concept, and she simply went along for the ride.
Dakota Johnson showed no regrets about the film’s flop, saying, "I don’t have a Band-Aid over it.” The movie follows her clairvoyant character, Cassandra Webb, as she glimpses the futures of others linked to Spider-Man lore. Though not tied to Tom Holland’s films, it draws inspiration from the wider Spider-Man universe, weaving a complex but separate story. Unfortunately, the challenges did not end with the film’s reception; Johnson’s personal life has also faced a recent struggle.
Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin have reportedly ended their relationship for good, marking a final chapter in their high-profile romance.
The end of the road for Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin
Multiple sources told PEOPLE that Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin have ended their nearly eight-year on-again, off-again relationship. One insider described the split as feeling “final this time.” The couple, first linked in 2017, was last seen together in Malibu on May 16 and earlier in January holding hands in India during Martin’s tour. In March 2024, a source revealed to PEOPLE that they had been quietly engaged for years but were in no hurry to marry.
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After Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin began dating in 2017, they got engaged a few years later. In August 2024, breakup rumors surfaced when a source told the Daily Mail they tried hard to make things work but ultimately realized their busy lives and different priorities pulled them apart. Johnson’s representative denied the split to TMZ, insisting they were happy. However, Johnson was recently seen with Taylor Swift, not Martin. With the breakup and the film’s flop, Johnson’s life has clearly been on a rocky path lately.
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What do you think about Dakota Johnson clearing her name after Madame Web’s failure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra
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