Cast of Madame Web: S.J. Clarkson Set to Direct Marvel’s Retro Thriller ‘Madame Web’- An Exciting Unraveling Awaits.

Cast of Madame Web: Madame Web director and co-writer S. J. Clarkson shared her thoughts on the Marvel superhero action adventure, expressing a mix of expectations. “Did it meet my expectations? In some ways, yes, and in others, no,” she explained. She acknowledged the incredible elements of the movie set and the opportunity to work with amazing visual effects, which left her in awe. However, she also mentioned that there were moments where it felt like just another day on set.

Clarkson emphasized the importance of finding a healthy balance in such situations. She compared it to facing a steamroller, where one must adapt and wrestle with the challenges that come their way. Stopping or changing direction can be risky, and it’s crucial to navigate through it with caution.

Clarkson has an impressive resume, having worked on notable shows such as Marvel’s Jessica Jones and The Defenders, Heroes, Bates Motel, and Succession. In Madame Web, Dakota Johnson takes on the role of Cassandra “Cassie” Webb, a paramedic from Manhattan who tragically lost her parents. As she starts having perplexing visions and flashbacks, Cassie embarks on a journey to uncover her origins and the reason behind the relentless pursuit of three young women who possess extraordinary potential.

Madame Web, unlike numerous other Marvel superheroes who have been featured in their own movies, has never been given her own comic book series. The writer-director expresses his disappointment, referring to this as “a travesty and an odd occurrence.”

“The character of Madame Web is truly mysterious and intriguing, existing on the outskirts and periphery of the Marvel universe. This is what captivated me the most. I am always fascinated by what lies just beyond the spotlight. Often, it is in those hidden corners where the true allure resides.”

Prior to Johnson’s enrollment in the film, the duo engaged in a sequence of conversations.

“We convened, conversed, shared some of my film recommendations, and discussed how I envisioned it,” Clarkson elaborated. “I believe it was because I desired it to have a sense of realism and relatability that she agreed to participate. She had concerns about it being excessively imaginative, and I reassured her, saying, ‘I’m uncertain how to handle it if it’s like that, but I believe I know how to approach it this way.’ The collaboration commenced at that point, and we were truly partners in crime throughout.”

The filmmaker had a clear vision when it came to the influences in Madame Web. She was determined to avoid creating just another superhero movie and instead, she decided to explore a different genre for inspiration.

“I didn’t have a specific goal in mind, except for wanting to create a psychological thriller,” she elaborated. “I aimed to approach the film from a non-traditional perspective, not conforming to the typical conventions of filmmaking. It was more like immersing ourselves in a captivating universe and using it as a creative playground.”

I found inspiration from various sources, starting from the 70s era with Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now and films such as The Conversation, Inception, and even The Talented Mr. Ripley. The main focus was on exploring the essence of a thriller and examining my own emotions while watching specific movies. Ultimately, my deep admiration for the 70s era played a significant role in shaping my creative process.

Madame Web, scheduled to release in theaters on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, takes place in the year 2003. This particular era holds a special significance for Clarkson, who fondly recalls the time and incorporates authentic props and a soundtrack featuring tracks from that period, including Britney Spears’ hit song “Toxic” – a fitting choice for a movie centered around a spider-bite.

“I have vivid memories of the noughties and even the 90s. Those were my formative years, so in many ways, it was a delightful trip down memory lane, filled with nostalgia and a touch of humor,” she shared. “The young actors playing the Spiders on set would often exclaim, ‘Look at that phone! Oh my God.’ We can relate to that. Although 2003 doesn’t feel like it was too long ago, it has been 20 years already, making it a period drama in today’s context.”

“When you’re caught up in the excitement of visual effects and the budget is primarily allocated to transforming cars and dazzling LED screens, you don’t fully realize that it was a time of enjoyment and exhilaration. That’s exactly how I remember it – my youth. There was an undeniable vibrancy and sense of fun, and the music in Madame Web played a significant role in capturing that essence for all of us.”

There was also an absence of the surveillance capitalism that exists today. Our deliberate intention was to ensure that only the antagonist possessed such technology, while for everyone else, the level of tracking and presence of cameras was acknowledged but not to the extent seen today. Accessing and utilizing this technology was simply not an option. This freedom allowed for a more immersive storytelling experience, without the distraction of everyone constantly being on their smartphones.

Shooting a big-budget film, particularly a superhero movie, in a public location can be quite challenging when it comes to maintaining secrecy. In order to throw off curious fans and prying eyes, the production team decided to use code words like “Peru” and “Clair” on their signage. Interestingly, the choice of “Clair” was not as random as it may have seemed.

“‘Clair’ was actually a clever abbreviation for clairvoyance,” chuckled Clarkson. “I thought it would be too obvious, so I suggested ‘Claire’ instead. Surprisingly, nobody caught on to the hidden meaning, which worked out well. You’re actually the first person to inquire about it.”

Claire became apparent at an early stage, however, my only concern was that I didn’t want it to end with an ‘e’. Interestingly, the term ‘clair’ in clairvoyance lacks an ‘e’. This deliberate choice was intended to confuse people further. To cater to their preference for shorter words, we incorporated ‘Peru’ on certain unit signs. This approach is highly strategic, involving meticulous planning. It’s quite amusing how I have just unraveled the entire mystery.

The completion of Madame Web was a race against the clock, with the final touches being added just days before the film’s release in theaters.

It is important to note that although I could have continued working on this project for a longer period, the pressure of time was a constant factor. As is often the case, the clock was ticking, and we had exhibitors eagerly awaiting the finished product. The focus of our efforts was primarily on the visual effects, which were the last elements to be incorporated.

This film has a grounded approach, with many of the clairvoyance effects being achieved through practical means. I personally worked with a diopter, creating a cacophony of noise and the shattering of glass against glass, all illuminated by a flashlight. However, we did have a grand finale sequence that required extensive visual effects work, which naturally took some time to complete. It is crucial to allow the talented team responsible for bringing these effects to life ample time to work their magic and ensure that everyone in the film looks their best.

Additionally, we encountered delays due to strikes, necessitating some last-minute additional photography. As a result, we had to swiftly adapt and make necessary adjustments. The final shot, a computer screenshot captured across nine screens in a single take, required a significant amount of time to finalize. This particular shot had me anxiously waiting, as I eagerly hoped to include it in the final delivery before midnight. It was a race against time, right down to the very last moment.