Sydney Sweeney, a rising star in the entertainment industry, recently opened up about her experience starring in Sony’s “Madame Web” in a revealing interview with GQ UK. Despite the film being labeled as one of the year’s infamous box office flops, Sweeney described it as a “strategic business decision” that ultimately paved the way for her to achieve success with Sony Pictures through other projects, such as the romantic comedy “Anyone but You.”
Reflecting on her role in “Madame Web,” Sweeney emphasized the importance of building relationships within the industry, particularly with decision-makers at Sony. She credited her involvement in the superhero flop for opening doors that led to the production of “Anyone but You,” a box office hit that surpassed $214 million worldwide. Sweeney’s connections at Sony also enabled her to develop a remake of “Barbarella,” in which she is expected to star.
Despite “Madame Web” receiving widespread criticism from film critics and struggling at the box office, Sweeney remained grateful for the opportunity to portray Julia Cornwall, an iteration of Spider-Woman. When asked about the possibility of reprising her role in future films, Sweeney expressed interest, stating that she would consider it if the story and team were right.
Looking ahead, Sweeney shared her aspirations to become more involved in producing projects to have a greater impact on the creative process. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and problem-solving in filmmaking, highlighting her desire to contribute more actively to projects in the future. Sweeney found the freedom to be more engaged in projects like “Anyone but You” and “Immaculate,” contrasting with her experience on “Madame Web.”
Despite the backlash “Madame Web” faced on social media and in the entertainment industry, Sweeney approached the situation with humor, even poking fun at the film during a “Saturday Night Live” appearance. The film’s co-star, Dakota Johnson, also acknowledged the mixed reception, describing it as a learning experience that comes with the territory of the entertainment industry.
“Madame Web” continues to screen in theaters nationwide, while Sweeney’s upcoming film, “Immaculate,” is set to premiere on March 22 from Neon. Sweeney’s journey in the industry serves as a testament to the resilience and determination required to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood.