Key Takeaways:
– Actress Sydney Sweeney fortified her relationship with Sony through her role in the film Madame Web.
– Despite having to navigate studio politics, Sydney regards the experience as a strategic business move.
– Unfazed by Madame Web’s lukewarm reception, Sydney remains focused on her career trajectory with Sony.
Central to the acting industry is the understanding that actors often have to “pay their dues,” by navigating the complex game of studio politics. As an industry adage goes, sometimes it’s “one for them” – taking on a project merely to demonstrate your commitment to a team. This sentiment appears to ring true for Sydney Sweeney’s role in Madame Web.
Sydney Strengthens Bond with Sony
After Sony’s unsuccessful attempt to expand their Spider-Man franchise with Madame Web, the film was mercifully transferred to digital release. Despite the subsequent distancing from the final work by some of its stars, Sydney Sweeney embraced her part in the project. She sees her contribution as a means of fortifying her relationship with Sony.
In a recent conversation with GQ, as reported by Deadline, Sydney revealed, “For me, that film was a stepping stone, instrumental in shaping my relationship with Sony. Without Madame Web, I wouldn’t enjoy the ties I have with the decision-makers there. I approach my career strategically – not just for the story, but for savvy business moves too.”
Learning from Experience
Similarly, Dakota Johnson, Madame Web’s star, regarded the film’s failure as a valuable learning experience. Dakota shared her fresh insights, saying, “Having never been involved in such a project before, I now know that it isn’t my fit. Yet, in this industry, you sometimes find yourself participating in a project that morphs into something distinctly different. It’s like, ‘Wait, what?’ Nonetheless, it was an enlightening experience.”
Shaking off the Reception
Sydney wasn’t phased by the underwhelming reception the film received. She considered this merely as a hit in her resume and carried on unperturbed. Speaking on the film’s reception, she said, “A large project like this involves many people. As an actor, I was just happy to actualize a character that my little cousins were thrilled about. You can’t control the outcome of such a movie, especially if you aren’t a producer. You just commit to the ride.”
She was later prompted on whether she had suspected something was amiss during production, to which she said, “Making a film like that involves a different formula, one that deviated from what I’m used to.”
Sydney’s Strategic Decision
Despite the film’s flop, Sydney Sweeney found solace in her strategic business decision. She explained how that one engagement catapulted her to other promising opportunities with Sony, “Because I did that, I managed to sell Anyone But You. I was also able to secure Barbarella,” she said.
This underscores the importance of viewing career decisions from a strategic lens and the possible rewards that can come from stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Sydney Sweeney’s experience with Madame Web highlights the lessons, experiences, and opportunities that can arise even in less than ideal circumstances.
