Meanwhile, while the world is still reeling from Marvel’s epic third instalment of the Spider-Man trilogy, Sony, does have fruitful plans to now carry over the Spider-Universe to more additional heroes and leaders. A source tells Deadline that Sony is considering casting Dakota Johnson in its upcoming Madame Web movie, which is part of Sony’s expanding Spider-Man universe.

Sources tell Deadline that Dakota Johnson is being considered for the lead role in Madame Web, which is still in development. The film will be helmed by S.J. Clarkson. Clarkson has had a long and distinguished career in the Marvel Universe, and her name is no stranger to fans. While working on Marvel’s The Defenders for Netflix, she served as the show’s lead director and executive producer. On Netflix’s Jessica Jones, she was in charge of both production and directing. Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, the screenwriters behind Sony’s soon-to-be-released Spider-Man universe film Morbius, have already signed on to write the film’s screenplay.

Dakota Johnson will play Sony’s first female superhero in the new spinoff project. The 32-year-old actress’ casting as Madame Web, a character most comic book readers know as an elderly woman, is sure to confound comic book fans. However, a look at Peter Parker’s long comic book history will hopefully shed some light on Johnson’s casting.

Who’s Madame Web?

A mutant with powerful psychic and telekinetic abilities, Cassandra Webb, was the original Madame Web. Astral projection, mind reading, and foreseeing are all within her power set. Madame Web, like Professor X, has psychic abilities that are at odds with her physical limitations. Myasthenia gravis, a neurodegenerative disease, has left her blind, paralyzed, and tethered to a spider web-like life support system.

The first appearance of Madame Web was in The Amazing Spider-Man #210, released in 1980. A number of Spider-Man stories have featured her as a supporting character who lends a helping hand or delivers dire warnings about Peter Parker’s future.

Madame Web’s abilities haven’t solely been attributed to her mutated gene, as has been speculated for some time. Madame Web, like Peter and every other Spider-Man in the multiverse, is linked to the mystical Web of Life and Destiny. Not only does she have to keep an eye on the future, but she also has to make sure that things go on as they should.

The New Madame Web appears to be a younger and more energetic version of the character that has been around for some time now. Julia Carpenter assumed the role of Madame Web following the events of the 2010 comic run Amazing Spider-Man: The Grim Hunt.

Even before she dies, Madame Web gives her powers to the young Julia Carpenter, who will most likely be played by Dakota Johnson in the film. During a recent interview, everyone’s favorite friendly neighborhood Spidey, Tom Holland, revealed his personal favorite Spider-Man character: Madame Web.

So, Which Version Could Dakota Johnson Be Playing?

Despite the radical concept of a superhero movie centered around an elderly, disabled character, it seems unlikely Sony cast Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb in a traditional role. It’s highly likely that the film will be heavily influenced by current Spider-Man comics rather than the original ’80s adventures of Madame Webb.

So, it’s possible that Johnson is playing Julia Carpenter after all. It is possible that Carpenter’s journey as a blind psychic who is haunted by visions of the future will be the focus of the film. One way to make a Madame Web movie without Spider-Man is to do it this way.

If Madame Web is approved, it will be Dakota Johnson’s first major studio film role in years. Dakota Johnson grew up in the entertainment industry as the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. She made her film debut at the age of ten in the dark comedy Crazy in Alabama, which she co-starred in with her mother.

She pursued an acting career after high school, making guest appearances in films like 2010’s The Social Network. Despite this, she is best known for her role as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey erotic trilogy. Dakota was nominated for a BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2016 for her performance in the trilogy.

Sony has a slew of Spider-Man and franchise-related character projects in the works, including one involving Madame Web and Dakota Johnson. This April, Jared Leto’s long-awaited Morbius will finally be released in theatres.

Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, will also be released by Sony. Unconfirmed projects include an Olivia Wilde-directed film about Spider-Woman and a Venom 3 sequel, according to the internet rumormill.