Russell Crowe mocks Dakota Johnson

'Madame Web', one of Marvel's latest films, has followed the path of other, similar releases: a hit at the box office and battered by critics and the public.

Beyond the movie's greater or lesser qualities, the darts that Dakota Johnson was throwing during the promotional campaign for the film did not help much. And it did not seem to sit too well with Russell Crowe.

Dakota Johnson went so far as to say, "You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms," adding that " I probably will never do anything like it again because I don’t make sense in that world."

Faced with this statement, Russell Crowe, in an interview for GQ, used his usual humor and sharp tongue to smack his colleague, saying that seeking a "transformative experience at Marvel" is approaching the job from the wrong perspective.

The Oscar-winning actor knows that these blockbusters are machines in which each performer has a defined role and their job is simply to fulfill it. It seems that Dakota Johnson wanted to transcend her role in 'Madame Web'.

"Are you telling me that you signed up for a Marvel movie and didn't catch on with the audience? I'm not sure how I can make this better for you. You know, this is your role and if you expect this to change your life, you're in trouble," noted the New Zealand actor.

And he is not saying this out of ignorance: Russell Crowe has worked for both Marvel ('Thor: Love and Thunder') and DC ('Man of Steel'). His is an authoritative voice in that sense.

Right now, he has pending the release of 'Kraven, the Hunter', another Marvel film (though produced by Sony) in which he shares the bill with Aaron Taylor Johnson and Ariana DeBose.

Perhaps that is why it is understandable that Russell Crowe comes out to defend, in a certain way, the great productions of Marvel and DC.

On the one hand, as they say, superhero movies are not films that seek to transcend to a philosophical level. On the other hand, the stars in them are paid millions. The actor chooses to take the role as it is and enjoy the benefits. As Monty Python said, always look on the bright side of life.

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