It's a shame no one at Sony Pictures has Cassie's clairvoyance because we're sure executives would have preferred to pull the plug on Madame Web rather than face box office numbers like these.
During its second weekend in theaters, the Marvel Comics adaptation suffered a -64% drop to earn an estimated $5.56 million in North American theaters. However, it could have been worse; The Marvels, for example, plummeted by 78%, while Morbius dipped by -74%.
That's where the good news ends. By Sunday, Madame Web will have earned a mere $35 million domestically, a far cry from the $84.5 million and $73.8 million domestic hauls The Marvels and Morbius netted by the end of their respective runs.
As Deadline states, "Let’s not put lipstick on this. If you’re going to make a superhero movie going forward, really focus on it in development and hire solid directors. The theatrical business can’t afford cookie-cutter any more."
Bob Marley: One Love remained at #1 with $13.95 million, Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training came in second with $10.8 million, and the top three was rounded out with Ordinary Angels at $6.5 million.
Sony will no doubt keep a close eye on how Venom 3 and Kraven the Hunter perform later this year; should they too fail, then it will surely be time for the studio to go back to the drawing board and start over with its Marvel offerings before the brand is damaged beyond repair (if it isn't already).
The chances of a Madame Web sequel aren't just slim, they're nigh on impossible. However, director SJ Clarkson was at least somewhat open to the idea when we spoke to her earlier this month.
"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," she said. "I think because of that wealth and great plethora of comics, they can go anywhere."
Watch the full interview below.
Meanwhile, in another universe...In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing's most enigmatic heroines.
The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures...if they can all survive a deadly present.
The movie stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott.
Madame Web is now playing in theaters worldwide.