Russell Crowe Fires Back at Dakota Johnson’s ‘Madame Web’ Criticism: “I Just Think You’re Here for the Wrong Reasons”
‘Madame Web’ was one of SSU’s biggest box office flops in 2023, continuing the trend of poorly received films in the Universe. Despite this, the movie did achieve some level of success on Netflix. Following its disastrous theatrical release, many actors involved in the film largely remained silent.
However, Dakota Johnson faced backlash for her criticism of the studio and superhero movies in general. She specifically called out executive decisions and the reliance on numbers and algorithms in making such films.
You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms. My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they’re not. Audiences will always be able to sniff out bullsht. Even if films start to be made with AI, humans aren’t going to fcking want to see those.
Many fans support Johnson’s viewpoint, as a common criticism of today’s movies is their focus on ticking boxes rather than storytelling. The studio expressed disappointment in Johnson for her comments. Now, Russell Crowe, who has experience in various cinematic universes, is sharing his perspective on the issue in an interview with GQ.
Crowe recently discussed his experience with major superhero productions, describing it simply as a job.
You’re telling me you signed up for a Marvel movie, and some fucking universe for cartoon characters… and you didn’t get enough pathos? Not quite sure how I can make this better for you. It’s a gigantic machine, and they make movies at a certain size. And you know, I’ve experienced that on the DC side with Man of Steel, Zack Snyder, and I’ve experienced it on the Marvel side via Disney with Thor: Love and Thunder. And I’ve also experienced the [Sony-produced] Marvel dark universe with Kraven the Hunter. These are jobs. You know: here’s your role, play the role. If you’re expecting this to be some kind of life-changing event, I just think you’re here for the wrong reasons.
Crowe also shared his thoughts on his experience with the Marvel process working under Waititi.
It can be challenging, working in a blue-screen world, when you have to convince yourself of a lot more than just the internal machinations of your character. But for anything to be… and you can’t make this a direct comment on her because I don’t know her and I don’t know what she went through, and the fact that you can have a shit experience on a film… Yeah, you can. But is that the Marvel process? I’m not sure you can say that. I haven’t had a bad experience. I mean [on Thor], OK, it’s a Marvel movie, but it’s Taika Waititi’s world, and it was just a gas every day, being silly.
Next up for Crowe is ‘Kraven the Hunter’ in the SSU. Fans are eagerly anticipating Sony’s next move, with executives noting the new release date aims to encourage multiple viewings. Here’s Crowe’s take on the development of ‘Kraven the Hunter’:
And then, with JC Chandor on Kraven, I’m just bringing a little weight to the circumstances, so the young actors have got an actor they can bounce off. Going to work with JC was fun. You know, so many of these directors have a certain skill level – freaking genius people. Think about what’s required, right? It’s everything: the composition, the framing, the colour, the music, what’s left outside the camera. Whether it’s [Proof director] Jocelyn Moorhouse or it’s Ridley Scott, you’re talking about hanging out with geniuses.
Do you agree with Crowe? Share your thoughts in the comments!