Sony Pictures has finally released the first trailer for Madame Web, and it's not exactly what we were expecting.
Aside from a downright bizarre take on Ezekiel Sims which sees him suit up as an evil Spider-Man, the costumes for three of the movie's leads are shockingly comic-accurate. Julia Carpenter, Mattie Franklin, and Anya Corazon all look like they've just leapt off the page and we're hoping they suit up for more than just a few flashforwards courtesy of Cassandra Web.
Speaking of Madame Web's lead, this take on the character is far more proactive than her comic book counterpart and, at least at this stage, seems better at predicting future events than opening a door into the Spider-Verse.
Beyond what's shown in the trailer, we should also point out that the movie's credited screenwriters are now Claire Parker and director SJ Clarkson, from a story by Kerem Sanga. It was previously reported that Morbius scribes Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless were penning the screenplay, so something has changed since then.
That may go some way in explaining why Madame Web looks so different to what we read in those early plot leaks. For example, there's no sign of a pregnant Mary Parker and zero mention of Ezekiel wanting to stop Peter from being born.
It might be a twist which is being saved for the movie itself, of course, but we'd have expected a nod to Spider-Man that significant to be front and centre in this sneak peek. We'll see.
"'Meanwhile, in another universe...'" the synopsis begins, "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."
Confirmed cast members include Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott. We believe the movie is still dated for February 16, 2024, in the U.S., but the trailers only say "Coming Soon" (it swings into UK cinemas on February 14).
Check out the first trailer for Madame Web below along with a vignette featuring interviews with the cast.