The comic book incarnation of Marvel’s Madame Web is an elderly, visually impaired clairvoyant who tends to play a supporting role in Spider-Man tales, and has unparalleled insight into the Spider-Verse. This makes her an important character in Marvel Comics lore, even if her name recognition might not be on the level of Spidey’s best-known supporting characters. She also played a pivotal role in the character’s 1990s animated series, as a mysterious behind-the-scenes presence giving Peter Parker advice that he often didn’t want, while readying him for the major conflicts of the final season.
In the movie, of course, Madame Web is a very different, much younger person, as played by Dakota Johson (“Suspiria”). Johnson’s take on Webb isn’t the only spider-themed character to appear in the movie, either. She’s joined by “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus” star Sydney Sweeney, who plays Julia Carpenter, whose comic book incarnation is a superhero who has operated both as Spider-Woman and as another version of Madame Web. Judging by the first trailer, “Madame Web” will certainly show a hitherto unseen side of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, and fans will no doubt be interested to see how the S.J. Clarkson-directed movie will succeed.
“Madame Web” is slated for release on February 16, 2024.
