Sony's Madame Web Release Date, Cast, Director, Trailer And More Details

Sony Pictures is about to expand their Spider-Verse in a big way with "Madame Web." This film has been under wraps for quite a while, making it subject to rumors and speculation. How will this character fit into the studio's fictional universe? What kind of story will it tell? Will "Madame Web" end up succeeding, a la "Venom," or crashing and burning, like "Morbius"? Those less familiar with the comics from whence these characters sprang have an even more basic question: Who the heck is Madame Web?

The answers to these questions are complicated. But as we draw closer to the movie's release date, the answers emerge. Curious? Then get ready. We're here to break down everything there is to know about "Madame Web," the next movie in the Sony Spider-Verse.

"Madame Web" has had a long journey from conception to release. For years, fans knew the movie was being made, but they had no idea when it might debut. Finally, that wait is over: "Madame Web" is scheduled to hit theaters on February 14, 2024.

Fans were once concerned this date would change. The strikes that rocked Hollywood in 2023 delayed a huge number of movies' release dates, after all — one of them, "Kraven the Hunter," is also part of Sony's Spider-Verse. That flick was scheduled to debut on January 13, 2023, but then it was moved to October 6. This seemed like the last change that would be made — until the strikes began. Now, "Kraven the Hunter" is scheduled for release on August 30, 2024. Luckily, we can now safely say that similar delays did not affect "Madame Web."

Historically, Madame Web has been a character of extreme contrasts. Her real name is Cassandra Webb, and in the comics, she's a frail old woman dependent on a complex life support system. However, she's also a tremendously powerful psychic who can read minds and glimpse the future. This has made her a potent ally to Spider-Man, and a target to many bad guys. 

In many ways, the Cassandra Webb of Sony's "Madame Web" is a similar character. She's an immensely powerful psychic, and also a young paramedic who seems to gain her powers on the job. These abilities soon draw Ezekiel Sims, a classic Spidey bad guy who worked alongside Cassandra's mother on a research trip to the Amazon (naturally, they were studying spiders). His aims are currently unclear, but they're definitely bad news for our heroine.

Luckily, she's not alone. Cassandra falls in with three young women: Mattie Franklin, Julia Carpenter, and Anya Corazon. This a potent trio; historically, the first two have fought bad guys as Spider-Woman, while the third has operated as Spider-Girl and Araña. Promotional materials have already offered a glimpse of them in their costumes, which are remarkably close to what they wear in the comics. They're not the only classic Spidey figures present, either: Emma Roberts and Adam Scott play Mary Parker, Peter Parker's mother, and Ben Parker, aka Uncle Ben.

Notably, "Madame Web" is the longest Sony Spider-Verse movie at 1 hour and 56 minutes long. This isn't a huge surprise, really — the trailer makes it clear that there's a lot going on in this story. Fans can rest assured they'll see it unfold in full.

The titular Madame Web will be played by Dakota Johnson. Moviegoers might remember her from a wide variety of films, including "Black Mass," "Bad Times at the El Royale," "The Lost Daughter," and "Cha Cha Real Smooth." She's likely still best known for her breakout performance as Anastasia Steele in the "Fifty Shades" series, however. Her versatility will be a major asset to "Madame Web," which promises to shake the superhero formula up in a major way.

Johnson will star alongside Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O'Connor, and Isabela Merced, who will play comic heroines Julia Carpenter, Mattie Franklin, and Anya Corazon. Sweeney has already made a major splash with starring roles on "Euphoria" and "The White Lotus." O'Connor wowed audiences in "Selah and the Spades," "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," and "Freaky." Merced earned serious acclaim as the one and only Dora in "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" and made a splash in "Rosaline," "Father of the Bride," and "Spirit Untamed."

Every superhero flick needs a good bad guy, and here, that slot will be filled by Tahar Rahim as Ezekiel Sims. Rahim has made a major, award-winning mark on cinema with star turns in "A Prophet," "The Mauritanian," "Napoleon," and "The Serpent." He's not the only acclaimed actor in the cast, either: Emma Roberts, Zosia Mamet, and Adam Scott are also present and accounted for.

"Madame Web" will be directed by S. J. Clarkson. While Clarkson's filmography is largely confined to television, its length and variety is impressive: She's helmed episodes of everything from horror story "Bates Motel" to searing drama "Orange is the New Black" to dark satire "Succession." Clarkson's sole film is "Toast," a dramedy starring Helena Bonham Carter. Its unique approach to family struggle bodes well for "Madame Web."

The screenplay has been penned by Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama. Those who've been following Sony's Spider-Verse might already recognize these names; this is the duo that wrote "Morbius." They're also responsible for writing "Gods of Egypt," "Dracula Untold," and "The Last Witch Hunter." Sharpless and Sazama have only ventured onto the small screen once, penning the 2018 "Lost in the Space" series. Suffice it to say, they're comfortable with edgy, genre-centric work, which makes them a perfect fit for "Madame Web."

The "Madame Web" trailer is a pulse-pounding thrill ride. We begin with an altercation in a diner between Cassandra Webb, a masked villain, and a variety of diner patrons. Just as things reach a violent crescendo, time appears to rewind, placing Cassandra back outside the diner. "Let's try that again," she murmurs. Clearly, Cassandra has some seriously potent abilities — and she appears to be using them to protect three young women.

A series of intense scenes are glimpsed throughout the rest of the trailer. Cassandra's life as an NYC paramedic is fast-paced, thrilling, and apparently responsible for her incredible powers. She has a past, too — one that involves the enigmatic Ezekiel Sims, who seems to be the bad guy of the film. He's in for the fight of his life, however, if the quick shots we get of Cassandra kicking butt and her trio of allies in full costume are any indication. This trailer reveals that "Madame Web" will be something of a cross between a classic Marvel movie and the mind-bending thriller antics of "Looper" or the "Final Destination" movies. Now that's a winning combination.