In an interview, Russell Crowe has spoken out about Dakota Johnson’s Marvel criticism after Madame Web. He has clear ideas about what the superhero role entails
This year, Madame Web has marked another Marvel low point. The superhero blockbuster starring Dakota Johnson from Sony was a commercial disaster that was also a complete flop with critics.
The leading actress subsequently expressed her criticism of the way blockbusters of this kind are made, which would no longer allow any artistic freedom. In a recent interview, Gladiator star Russell Crowe, who has played roles at both DC and Marvel, was asked about Johnson’s statements. His reaction is clear:
Russell Crowe explains what playing superhero roles is all about
Talking to Bustle in early March 2024 after the disastrous Madame Web box office result, Dakota Johnson said that superhero blockbusters are ruined by too many decisions made by a committee instead of individual decisions made by the filmmakers:
Decisions are made by committees, and art doesn’t thrive when it’s made by committees. Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around him. You can’t make art based on numbers and algorithms.
Have you seen it yet? Really expensive fantasy blockbuster that destroyed an entire universe
In the latest GQ interview, Russell Crowe was asked what he thought of Johnson’s statement. His opinion is clear, without attacking his colleague personally:
You’re telling me that you signed up for a Marvel movie and a fucking universe for comic book characters … and you didn’t get enough pathos? I’m not quite sure how to improve on that for you. It’s a gigantic machine, and they produce movies at a certain size. […]
These are jobs. You know: here’s your part, play the part. If you’re expecting this to be a life-changing event, I think you’re here for the wrong reasons.
Here you can watch a German Madame Web trailer if you really want to:
For Russell Crowe, superhero blockbusters and artistic impulses are not mutually exclusive
Crowe speaks from experience, having starred as Jor-El in Man of Steel and Zeus in Thor 4: Love and Thunder. In the GQ interview, he also says that shooting in front of green screens for superhero films can be challenging and the conditions may be just as tough as on any other set
