Dakota Johnson reacts to Razzie win for Madame Web as she opens up about the surprising moment Sandra Bullock reached out with words of encouragement after the disappointing awards news. The exchange happened shortly after Johnson was named Worst Actress at the 2024 Razzies for her lead role in the film, adding an unexpected twist to her experience following the much-memed Marvel movie’s release.
Sandra Bullock Reaches Out After Razzie Announcement
Madame Web quickly made history in the superhero genre for its unusual reception, sweeping multiple categories at the 2024 Razzies, including Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay. Dakota Johnson, as the face of the film, found herself under the spotlight for earning the Worst Actress title. However, a moment of levity emerged amid the criticism. Appearing on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang, Johnson discussed how Sandra Bullock, famous for her own dual experience of winning both a Razzie and an Oscar in the same year, reached out in support.
Sharing the story, Johnson admitted that after the Razzie news broke, she unexpectedly heard from Bullock, who picked up on their new shared “club” status. Bullock, who experienced a similar trajectory in 2010, sent Johnson a message that injected warmth and camaraderie into an otherwise uncomfortable moment.
“I recently actually exchanged texts — well, I got a voice note — from Sandra Bullock, because I don’t know if you know, but I won the Razzie for Worst Actress. There’s a lot of good people who have won that… but Sandra Bullock sent me a voice note, being like ‘I heard you are in the Razzie club and we should have brunch, we should have a monthly brunch.’ Because I guess she won that the year that she won the Oscar as well. It was in the same year, I think.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
For Johnson, Bullock’s message was not just amusing but emotionally significant, prompting a powerful reaction. Reflecting on Bullock’s iconic status, Johnson described the surreal feeling of being noticed by someone she regards as a major movie star.
“I freaked out getting this message from her because she’s so iconic to me, as like a movie star. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I was just crazy.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
The Turbulent Journey of Madame Web
Madame Web, released by Sony as part of its ongoing foray into the Marvel universe, cast Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a New York City paramedic who discovers psychic abilities after a traumatic event. Despite its potential for a unique origin story, the production ultimately became a symbol of creative discord. Studio influence and shifting directions led to a film many critics and audiences considered disjointed.
With box office returns stalling at $43 million domestically and a paltry 11% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Madame Web attracted widespread criticism and online ridicule. Yet, Johnson has been adamant about clarifying her involvement in the film’s downfall, emphasizing how creative control slipped out of the hands of its artistic team.
“There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body. And it’s really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way. “And I think unfortunately with Madame Web, it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
Behind-the-Scenes Frustration: Johnson’s Artistic Challenge
Johnson said the transformation of Madame Web from the film she originally signed up for to the final product was a challenging journey as an artist. Throughout the process, she struggled with the feeling that her efforts were being altered by factors outside her control. Her candid comments provided insight into the realities of making big-budget studio films, speaking to artists’ frequent lack of agency once production shifts away from the initial vision.
“The final cut of Madame Web was a completely different script than what I attached to. That is a wild thing to like a crazy journey to go on as an artist because you’re like, ‘Okay, I’m doing something like with my actual body and my actual mind and my heart, my emotions. “I’m like using things. And it’s just being taken and f*cked with.’ But you can’t do anything about it. Like, what am I gonna do? F*cking cry about Madame Web? No.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actress
Reflections on Hollywood and the Path Forward
The incident with Madame Web and Dakota Johnson’s response highlight ongoing tensions in Hollywood when commercial demands overtake creative expression. When studios make significant creative choices by committee, artists such as Johnson can feel isolated by decisions that distort their contributions to a project. The public response to Madame Web and its infamy signal that fans and critics alike notice when artistic intention is diluted.
Still, support from luminaries like Sandra Bullock can help soothe the letdown of industry lows. Bullock’s own journey–winning both an Oscar for The Blind Side and the Razzie for All About Steve in 2010–offers perspective that these awards, whether positive or negative, do not define an artist’s value or trajectory. Johnson’s openness about her experience also invites a broader discussion about the creative process behind major films, the risks of corporate interference, and the resilience of artists navigating Hollywood’s unpredictable landscape.
