Sydney Sweeney's Spider-Woman Explained: Madame Web Connections, Powers & More

By Pierre Chanliau Posted:
Sydney Sweeney, Marvel logo

The newest trailer for the latest in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, Madame Web, finally gave fans their first look at Sydney Sweeney's Spider-Woman costume along with more of her powers.

It was confirmed last year that Sydney Sweeney would be playing Julia Carpenter, who in the comics was the second Spider-Woman and eventual successor of Madame Web. But as Dakota Johnson plays the titular superhero clairvoyant, Carpenter likely won't yet inherit her role or powers.

Sweeney already expressed how she "liked the personal struggles that the character goes through" in Madame Web, and the trailer shows Sweeney and her co-stars being put through the wringer by Tahar Rahim's Ezekiel Sims.

Sydney Sweeney's Spider-Woman

Sydney Sweeney stars in Madame Web as Julia Carpenter, the second Spider-Woman and eventual successor of Madame Web in the comics. 

Since Dakota Johnson's Madame Web is alive and well fighting against Ezekiel Sims in this trailer, it's unlikely for Carpenter to be handed the mantle quite yet.

Julia Carpenter, Spider-Woman, Costume, Madame Web
Sony Pictures

Instead, the trailer shows glimpses of Sydney Sweeney wearing Carpenter's more classic black and white Spider-Woman costume. 

This is a far cry from her eventual trench coat attire from the comics, which Johnson's Madame Web sports in the trailer instead.

Julia Carpenter, Spider-Woman, Costume, Madame Web
Sony Pictures

Sweeney even wears a mask with the back open to allow her hair to flow freely, as impractical as it might be. 

Julia Carpenter, Spider-Woman, Costume, Web of Destiny, Madame Web
Sony Pictures

Another action shot in the trailer showed Carpenter's unique psionic webbing from the comics as she fires one at Ezekiel. This i something that allows her to bend and shape her webbing freely, unlike those of Peter Parker or most other Spiders.

The full trailer can be seen below:

Spider-Woman's Connection to Madame Web

For decades, Julia Carpenter was the second Spider-Woman in the comics, having adventures alongside various superheroes until Kraven's family captured her alongside various other Spiders. 

Just before the original Madame Web dies from a mortal wound, she bestows her precognition ability onto Carpenter, making her the next Madame Web.

Julia Carpenter, Spider-Woman, Madame Web, Cassandra Webb, Amazing Spider-Man, Comic Panels, Marvel Comics
Amazing Spider-Man (1999) — Issue #637

Consequently, this also meant that Carpenter inherited Web's blindness, but it appears that Sony Pictures' interpretation of the character won't be impaired like her Marvel Comics counterpart. 

Additionally, as shocking as it would be for audiences, Dakota Johnson's Madame Web could still end up being killed by Ezekiel, with her giving Carpenter her powers like the comics anyway.


Sony Pictures' Madame Web will be released in theaters on February 14, 2024.

- In This Article: Madame Web
Release Date
February 14, 2024
Platform
Theaters
- About The Author: Pierre Chanliau
Pierre Chanliau began as a news & feature writer for The Direct at the site's launch in 2020. As a longtime reader of superhero comic books, Pierre's knowledge of Marvel and DC is extensive, informing his reporting and editorial pieces regarding the MCU and DCU.