Russell Crowe recently took a jab at actors who expect profound, life-altering experiences from their roles in comic book movies. The Oscar-winning actor shared his thoughts during an interview with British GQ, where he reflected on his career and commented on Dakota Johnson’s disappointment with her role in “Madame Web.”
Johnson starred in “Madame Web,” a Sony production based on Marvel characters, which flopped at the box office earlier this year. She later criticized the film, saying it was “made by committee” and lacked artistic depth. Crowe found her complaints amusing and somewhat baffling.
“You signed up for a Marvel movie, a universe of cartoon characters, and you didn’t get enough pathos?” Crowe said with a laugh. “Not quite sure how I can make this better for you.”
Crowe explained that comic book movies are massive productions with specific expectations. He emphasized that actors should understand these are jobs, not opportunities for creative control or guaranteed success. “Here’s your role, play the role,” he said. “If you’re expecting this to be some kind of life-changing event, I just think you’re here for the wrong reasons.”
Crowe has experience in the superhero genre, having appeared in “Man of Steel,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” and the upcoming “Kraven the Hunter.” He admitted that his humor was “impish” but stood by his point that actors should not expect more than what these roles offer.
Johnson, who had never starred in a superhero film before, expressed her frustration with the production process of “Madame Web.” She told Bustle that decisions were made by committees, which stifled artistic expression. “Art does not do well when it’s made by committee,” she said.
Crowe acknowledged that working on a film can sometimes be a “shit experience” and that the blue-screen environment can be challenging. However, he argued that the Marvel process itself isn’t to blame for bad movies or disappointed actors. “I haven’t had a bad experience,” he said.
Despite the film’s failure, Johnson described “Madame Web” as a learning experience. She admitted that the movie turned out differently than she had expected and that she probably wouldn’t do something like it again. “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,” she said.
Sydney Sweeney, who also starred in “Madame Web,” took a more pragmatic view. She saw the film as a stepping stone that opened doors for other projects. “To me, that film was a building block,” she told GQ U.K. “It’s what allowed me to build a relationship with Sony.”
Sweeney acknowledged the film’s poor reception but remained unfazed. “The movie is such a large movie with so many people involved,” she said. “I was just hired as an actor and happy to bring to life a character that my little cousins are excited about.”
Sweeney even joked about the film’s failure during her monologue on “Saturday Night Live,” saying, “You definitely did not see me in ‘Madame Web.'”
The film’s box office performance was dismal, with a domestic opening of just $26.2 million, one of the lowest starts for a Marvel character-based film. Despite this, Sweeney and Johnson both seem to have taken the experience in stride, each learning valuable lessons from the project.
Crowe’s comments highlight a broader issue in the film industry: the clash between artistic aspirations and the commercial realities of blockbuster filmmaking. While some actors may seek depth and creative control, the nature of superhero movies often leaves little room for such ambitions.
In the end, Crowe’s advice is clear: understand the job you’re signing up for and manage your expectations accordingly. For actors entering the world of comic book movies, it might be wise to heed his words.
