'Real learning experience': Dakota Johnson talks about disappointing box office reception of 'Madame Web'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dakota Johnson candidly discusses her recent film misfire, 'Madame Web' in a revealing interview with Bustle.

The actress, known for her roles in various films and the '50 Shades of Grey' series, doesn't hold back as she reflects on her experience with the box-office disappointment.

Dakota Johnson opens up about 'Madame Web' performance 

"Unfortunately, I’m not surprised that this has gone down the way it has," Johnson admits, addressing the lackluster performance of 'Madame Web', which premiered to underwhelming box-office numbers and faced harsh criticism from both critics and audiences alike. Despite the outcome, Johnson acknowledges the project as a unique learning experience.

"It was definitely an experience for me to make that movie. I had never done anything like that before," she reflects.

'Madame Web' marked Johnson's venture into the realm of superhero cinema, portraying the clairvoyant paramedic Cassandra 'Cassie' Webb/Madame Web. who’s linked to Spider-Man via Benjamin 'Ben' Parker (Adam Scott), the uncle of Peter Parker aka Spider-Man.

However, she expresses doubt about returning to similar projects in the future, recognizing that her acting style may not align with the demands of such films. "I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world," she confesses.

Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, and Tahar Rahim star in the flick.

Johnson also sheds light on the challenges posed by the studio system and its impact on creative decision-making. "Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms," she asserts, highlighting the disconnect between artistic vision and commercial interests.

“And I know that now. But sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something, and it’s one thing and then as you’re making it, it becomes a completely different thing, and you’re like, wait, what? “But it was a real learning experience,” Johnson continued, “and of course it’s not nice to be a part of something that’s ripped to shreds, but I can’t say that I don’t understand.”

“It’s so hard to get movies made, and in these big movies that get made decisions are being made by committees, and art does not do well when it’s made by committee,” she went on.

“Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms. My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they’re not."

“Audiences will always be able to sniff out bulls – – t,” Johnson said. “Even if films start to be made with AI, humans aren’t going to f – – king want to see those.”

Dakota Johnson criticizes 'Nepo Baby' tag and pokes fun at it

Dakota Johnson candidly expresses her disdain for the 'nepo baby' tag, a term often used to refer to celebrities who have gained access to the entertainment industry due to their famous parents or relatives. In a recent interview on the 'Today' show, Johnson admitted finding the label 'incredibly annoying' and 'boring'.

Reflecting on her experience hosting 'Saturday Night Live' last month, Johnson seized the opportunity to mock the nepotism debate prevalent in Hollywood. During the show, she joined forces with John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, sons of 'SNL' legends Steve Higgins and Tim Herlihy, to playfully roast each other and address the topic of nepotism.

The skit culminated in the trio forming a "nepo truce" in a humorous nod to the ongoing debate.

In her interview with Hoda Kotb, Johnson revealed that despite her Hollywood lineage (she is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith), her parents encouraged her to forge her own path in the industry.

Johnson shared that her father made a deal with her and her siblings to support them financially only if they pursued a college education. However, Johnson opted to navigate her acting career independently, facing financial challenges along the way.

Johnson recalled times when she couldn't afford groceries and had to seek assistance from her mother.