The speculation surrounding connections to Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man in the upcoming Sony Pictures movie, Madame Web, has been directly addressed by the film’s director, S.J. Clarkson. As set photos circulated on the internet, suggesting ties to Sam Raimi’s iconic Spider-Man films, fans eagerly anticipated the possibility of a connection.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Clarkson shed light on the rumors, emphasizing that Dakota Johnson’s character, Cassandra Webb, exists “definitely in a standalone world.” The director expressed gratitude for having creative freedom, allowing the movie to unfold organically without forcing connections to existing projects:

“She’s definitely in a standalone world… I was able to just have free rein and let the movie be what it needed to be, as opposed to trying to force it into something else. That was a gift, in a way, to be able to take something and bring a fresh and, I hope, original, take to it.”

Clarkson delved into the intriguing concept of her character, stating, “I really love the idea of somebody who can see into the future.” She highlighted the narrative’s exploration of understanding the past, appreciating the present, and making informed choices for the future. The director aimed for depth without overwhelming the storyline with profundity.

Despite these insights, fan discussions have shown muted enthusiasm for Dakota Johnson’s Marvel debut. While it’s customary for new projects to establish their identity, Madame Web’s potential connection to well-known Spider-Man lore could have generated more excitement. The absence of such ties has left some questioning the level of anticipation for the movie.

Considering the multiverse-like narrative involving various Spider-Women, expectations were high for potential references to other Marvel projects. However, hope lingers until the movie’s release, with the anticipation that it may surprise viewers and address concerns about its perceived lack of connections.

Notably, the article concludes with a cautious note about the film’s post-credits scene, expressing a desire for a more satisfying experience compared to Morbius’. The article hints at the importance of a well-executed post-credits scene in shaping the overall perception of the movie in the realm of comic book films.