Dakota Johnson Is Set to Play ‘Madame Web’ With Emma Roberts On Board

Dakota Johnson is going to be the latest super-hero, assuming the mantel of Madame Web as phase three rolls out.

S.J. Clarkson is set to direct the feature, which is part of Sony’s growing stable of films based on Marvel characters, whose rights Sony keeps a choke hold grip on, in defiance of the Mouse House. All we know of the upcoming film at this point is the comic’s origins. Introduced in the 1980 comic The Amazing Spider-Man #210, Madame Web is a clairvoyant mutant who specializes in predicting the future of Spider-themed superheroes, having mentored not only Peter Parker’s alter ego, but also multiple generations of heroes calling themselves Spider-Woman. Madame Web is traditionally depicted as a blind, paralyzed old woman, surrounded by a web-like machine necessary to keep her alive. Meaning, that she stays away from direct conflict, and sends others on missions.

Getting a female-driven property in Sony’s universe of Marvel characters has always been a top priority for studio executives given the long list of female characters that appear in these comics throughout the years. Sony execs have taken their time in figuring out who would land the title role, meeting with a number of A-listers. In the last two months, the list has been cut down, with Dakota Johnson gaining front-runner status right before Sony also announced Emma Roberts joining the feature.