‘Madame Webb‘ premiered on February 14 and has been a total flop at the box office pulling in just $77 Million globally with a Budget of $80 Million.
But the numbers are worse than that. The Hollywood Reporter recently stated, “It has been widely reported that Madame Web cost $80 million, but the actual number is in the low $100 million range, according to several sources.”
Even if we assume that includes a marketing budget, (which in many cases is as much as 50% of the film budget) then Madame Webb would need to make more than $200 Million to break even.
Here is a breakdown of the likely returns from ‘Madame Webb’
Box office sales: $77 Million
Split ticket sales with movie theaters: $38.5 Million
Production Cost: $100 Million
Sony’s Return: -$61.5 Million
Depending on what they spent on marketing. this number could be a lot higher
You Didnt see Me in That
Since the movie’s release, there has been a string of backlash against the film. so much so that some of the main actresses in ‘Madame Webb’ made jokes or voiced their lack of surprise at the film’s flop.
Sydney Sweeney while hosting Saturday Night Live made this comment in her opening monologue:
“You might have seen me in ‘Anyone But You’ or ‘Euphoria,’” Sweeney said. “You definitely did not see me in ‘Madame Web.’ But I do have a new film coming out called ‘Immaculate.’ I play a nun, so it’s perfect casting.”
The joke was very well received online by audiences tired of DEI(Diversity Equity and Inclusion) and Woke writing that have captured modern cinema.
Sweeney isn’t the only headliner making a go at the latest Marvel flop.
Dakota Johnson spoke out against the movie in several interviews.
“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised that this has gone down the way it has,” Dakota told Bustle in an interview published March 5. “It’s so hard to get movies made, and in these big movies that get made—and it’s even starting to happen with the little ones, which is what’s really freaking me out—decisions are being made by committees, and art does not do well when it’s made by committee.”
She went on to say.
“I had never done anything like it before,” she explained of making the superhero film. “I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world. And I know that now. But sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something, and it’s one thing and then as you’re making it, it becomes a completely different thing.”
That seems to be a bit of an excuse and an attempt to shift blame, especially when several of the reviews make mention of poor acting. but her statement is supported when you read reviews of a chaotic storyline and an underwhelming plot, and powerless superheroes.
Be Careful what you Act In
The most interesting part of this story is the fact that the headlining actresses are desperately trying to shift the blame to the studio and separate themselves from what would have been the role of a lifetime to many actresses.
We are reaching the point where Studios are being held accountable for what they produce. No longer does a movie pull people to the theaters just because it fits your genre. people are hyper-aware of what they watch. and ultra-critical of them.
It used to be a that Marvel movie would propel your career to new heights, now actors need to be careful of what they associate with, or else they risk losing the respect of audiences.
In the past actors were so desperate to be in a big movie they had no say in the story. I’m not saying that has changed yet but we could be reaching a point where actors begin to pass on big films if it’s too big of a risk to their career.