Madame Web is very nearly here and, earlier this month, we got to sit down with director SJ Clarkson to learn more about how these characters were brought to life on the big screen for the first time ever.
Madame Web, Ezekiel Sims, Spider-Woman, Spider-Girl, and Araña are all closely tied to Spider-Man in the comics, but this movie gives them the chance to take centre stage. Clarkson is no stranger to female superheroes or epic team-ups after previously helming episodes of Jessica Jones and The Defenders, and takes us through telling Cassie's story in the latest Sony Pictures Marvel movie.
Along the way, we learn about how key sequences were created, the work which went into designing those eye-catching superhero costumes, and whether Spider-Man was ever considered for a role in Madame Web.
Clarkson also addresses the importance of the comics, shares her thoughts on Marvel's Netflix TV shows becoming MCU canon, and weighs in on the chances of us getting spin-offs or sequels set in this standalone world.
Check out our full interview with the Madame Web director in the player below.
Did you ever consider casting an older Madame Web by heading down the comic-accurate route and trying to build a version of this movie around that character?
No, the script came to me when she was in her 30s, so she was already young. I thought it was quite interesting to see that dynamic between teenagers and someone in their 30s because they’re close together in age, but there’s such a vast void between [them] with how they see the world. I certainly know how I think about the world…well, I’m told I’m vintage. I said something in 2023 and someone said, ‘That’s vintage.’ I was like, ‘Is it?’ So, I think that gap was very interesting to explore, whereas if it’s much older, it’s a different dynamic. I felt there was more richness to come out of the closer age gap.
Julia, Anya, and Mattie’s costumes are fantastic. What was the process of finding the right looks for those characters given how different they’ve looked on the page over the years?
Simply, you hire Ngila Dixon. She is the most extraordinary costume designer. She comes from a place of character and she really thinks about who they are, who they want to be, and how they’d like to be portrayed. I think that’s a balance of what we got out of those looks. They wanted to be confident but there’s something pulling them back, and that’s where Ngila is absolutely brilliant. Obviously, with how that translated to them as regular teenagers and into their potential selves in the future.
This may be a strange question, but there are no lenses in Julia’s Spider-Woman’s mask. Was there a creative reason for that as it’s something a lot of fans have been curious about?
Oh, really? Interesting. We looked at it in…it’s so funny because, as a comic book nerd if I can call you that, you’ll know there are often different iterations throughout the comics. So, obviously there have been different iterations of Madame Web and many artists’ take on all the characters. They change and evolve so I guess what we did is really paid attention and looked across the board at all of them and then found the design we thought worked best. And what also worked for our actors as well. It’s about honouring and homaging the comics because they’re the foundation from which we all lead. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have these amazing comics and brilliant writers and illustrators who bring it to life. We used that as our foundation and tried to enhance it and bring it to life for the cinema.
That fantastic scene in the diner set to Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic.’ What was the thought process behind that song and how the sequence came together around it?
Well, credit where it’s due, that was in the script when I got it. It was already there but what I loved was the idea of that sequence…well, I can’t say too much as I’m literally about to trap myself into a spoiler which I don’t want to do as I want everyone to go in excited. Look, it’s a great track, anyway, and so of the time. It sort of…it encapsulates the energy of the three girls in a way that really, really worked and the song itself has another meaning when you know what happens in the scene.
There were some great teases about the future [in this movie] but was Spider-Man ever considered for the film in any way, whether it was a flash-forward to the future or a direct reference?
Well, I think I concentrated on the fact it was called Madame Web and I was very excited about the fact we had a really strong, brilliant female superhero at the fore. What I was most excited about was the clairvoyance and the fact that hadn’t been done before. There have been many versions of many superheroes and those particular skills, but hers I think deserved its own story to be told.
I suppose a lot of fans will be thinking, with it set in 2003, that could work with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man given his age? Always something to think about for the future.
If I had clairvoyance, I could see into it!
Ezekiel is one of my favourite characters from the comics but what about him as a villain excited you. In the comics, he starts off a little more heroic…
He’s an ambiguous villain, isn’t he? That’s what I loved about him. I think there are two sides to everything and I think not everybody just comes out born evil or good and we’re multifaceted as people. That to me was really exciting, knowing in the comics he did have this balance and his journey in the comics…it’s both light and dark. He’s self-serving, but also self-sacrificing in many ways. I thought that was a really interesting foundation and Tahar was so brilliant at embodying that and playing that. Within all of our conversations, it was about finding the truth and nuance of that within the character to make sure it wasn’t just, ‘I’m the bad guy.’ We needed that level of ambiguity.
You know your way around comics having done The Defenders and Jessica Jones, and they’ve just made those canon in the MCU. How do you feel about that and would you like to return to that world?
Oh, well that's amazing. I mean, I have to say, it was my introduction into comics was Jessica Jones. I'd read the script but I'd never actually read Alias. I got the big tomb that was Alias and I loved it. I literally read it and thought, 'This is one of the most clever, brilliant, beautiful [pieces of] storytelling I've seen in a long time.' The way that the characters are portrayed, the framing, the use of cinematic angles in a comic book. And the brevity of storytelling in terms of the dialogue. the narration, and actually getting to the point of what somebody says and what a character really thinks and means in that moment...I thought that was really...that really sparked my interest. Of course, I'm so thrilled to hear that they're canon. Jessica, of course, being my first, I'll always have a special place for her.
Did you find any similarities when it came to working with Dakota Johnson and Krysten Ritter given that both of their characters start off quite abrasive and then we see a more heroic side over time?
Yeah, definitely. I guess, you know, they’re both directed by me so there are probably elements of me in there as well. They’re both such brilliant actors in their own way. Krysten was effortlessly Jessica the same way I think Dakota is effortlessly Madame Web. I feel very lucky to have worked with them both.
When it comes to the three Spider-Women, I’m sure everyone will have a favourite. Mine was Sydney Sweeney as Julia, but would you like to launch a spin-off with any of those characters or return to Madame Web for a sequel?
Oh, I don’t know. I finished the movie yesterday morning so I’m still…we really worked to the wire so I’m very much looking forward to a rest before I think about what’s next or anything else, but they’re all such amazing, brilliant actors and characters. I think because of that wealth and great plethora of comics, they can go anywhere.
Ben and Mary Parker are in this movie. What led to you including them and could you revisit that specific plot thread down the line?
I think again, Madame Web was born in The Amazing Spider-Man comics. There isn’t a Madame Web comic, but there should be, shouldn’t there? Let’s start petitioning for a Madame Web comic. I think that would be amazing but this is an homage and nod to respect to where she’s come from.
Madame Web arrives in cinemas this Wednesday, February 14!