Screen Rant
Madame Web actress Sydney Sweeney says she grew up watching Marvel movies. In recent years, Sony has been raking in big sums with its Spider-Man Universe. Spider-Man: No Way Home earned Sony and Marvel a little shy of $2 billion, while other in-universe movies like Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage have also grossed impressive global revenues, totaling $500 million and $850 million, respectively. Considering the profits, Sony has greenlit a number of spin-off films based on Spider-Man characters from the comics. Three, so far, have made significant headway, including Kraven the Hunter, El Muerto, and Madame Web, which is Sony's first movie to feature a female superhero.
Development on Sony's Spider-Man Universe's (SSU) Madame Web commenced in 2019. At that time, Charlize Theron and Amy Adams were circling the titular role, but ultimately, Sony brought Kerem Sanga on board to re-write the script from Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, and the Spider-Man spin-off movie was rechristened completely. Subsequently, in 2022, news broke out that Fifty Shades of Grey's Dakota Johnson will play Madame Web's lead, with Jessica Jones helmer S. J. Clarkson attached to direct. In the following days, Celeste O'Connor, Isabela Merced, and Tahar Rahim joined the cast, with Euphoria's Syndey Sweeney also landing a secret role. Sweeney is an avid fan of superhero fare, and she has shared her passion for the same.
In a new interview with THR, Sweeney, who's previously starred in shows like Everything Sucks! and The Handmaid's Tale, opened up about her love for Marvel movies, which she grew up watching. The actress feels that Marvel's superhero movies are incredibly cool and larger-than-life, and she has always dreamt of being a part of a project like that. And now, her wishes are coming true with her role in the Spider-Man spin-off movie, Madame Web. Read what she said below.
Oh my goodness. I grew up watching Marvel movies and superheroes are just the coolest thing ever. So I just dreamt of being able to be a part of something bigger than life itself. And that’s what I feel like I’m getting to be a part of with Madame Web.
Although the star has been incredibly coy about her Madame Web role, speculations are rife that Sweeney might play Felicia Hardy/Black Cat. The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actress has long been a popular fancast for the Spider-Man love-interest/anti-hero. And now that she has officially joined the SSU, fans are hoping she ends up playing the part. Regardless of whatever character Sweeney is playing in Madame Web, the actress is definitely working hard to ace her new job. She is collecting and researching comics and also presumably brushing up on her mixed martial arts skills, which she has been trained in since childhood.
With her love for Marvel, the superhero genre, her persistent hard work, and a spectacular acting prowess that she recently demonstrated through her turn as Cassie in Euphoria season 2, Sweeney is undoubtedly the perfect casting choice for Madame Web.
Of course, since Sweeney has grown up watching MCU films, she must be familiar with the nuances of playing a superhero/ supervillain as well as fans' expectations from the movies.