Dakota Johnson in Talks to Play Madame Web in Spider-Man Spinoff (original) (raw)

Johnson would become the first female superhero in Sony Pictures’ Marvel Cinematic Universe

Published on February 3, 2022 12:50PM EST

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Dakota Johnson could soon be suiting up to play her first superhero.

The actress, 32, is in talks to take on the title role of the Spider-Man spinoff Madame Web, according to The Hollywood Reporter and other outlets.

The film is centered on Madame Web, a mutant with psychic sensory powers making her able to predict the future of other superheroes in the universe.

Web will be the first female superhero in the Sony Pictures' Marvel Cinematic Universe, according to Deadline.

In the comic books, Web is a blind, elderly woman who suffers from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder that forces her to use a life support system. She guides others rather than risking her own life in conflict.

S.J. Clarkson, the writer and director of Jessica Jones and The Defenders, is set to direct the project with Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless writing the script.

Sony is developing the film following the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which as of Sunday had grossed 735millionintheU.S.andCanada.It′sonly735 million in the U.S. and Canada. It's only 735millionintheU.S.andCanada.It′sonly25 million away from unseating Avatar as third-highest grossing film at the domestic box office.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE_'s free weekly newsletter_ to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

In addition to Madame Web, Sony is expanding the Spider-Verse to include films starring Venom, Morbius and Kraven, Variety reports.

Madame Web would also mark Johnson's first major franchise since Fifty Shades of Grey.

Most recently, she is starred in the critically acclaimed The Lost Daughter and Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winner Cha Cha Real Smooth.