5 Shocking Revelations About Sydney Sweeney's Role In Madame Web And The 'Business Decision' That Changed Her Career

Yes, Sydney Sweeney was a central part of the cast for the 2024 superhero film Madame Web, a key entry in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). As of this current date, December 10, 2025, her involvement in the movie has become one of the most talked-about aspects of her career, not just for the character she played, but for her incredibly candid and strategic comments on why she took the role in the first place.

The acclaimed actress, best known for her Emmy-nominated roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, portrayed the character of Julia Carpenter, a young woman who, alongside two others, is destined to become a future Spider-Woman. While the film’s box office performance and critical reception were disappointing, Sweeney’s role remains a significant, albeit brief, foray into the world of major comic book cinema.

Sydney Sweeney: Biography and Filmography Profile

Sydney Bernice Sweeney is an American actress and producer who has rapidly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. Her career is marked by a series of complex and often challenging roles across both television and film, establishing her as a formidable presence in the industry.

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• Birth Name: Sydney Bernice Sweeney
• Date of Birth: September 12, 1997
• Birth Place: Spokane, Washington, United States
• Profession: Actress, Producer
• Breakout Roles: Everything Sucks! (Emaline Addario), The Handmaid's Tale (Eden Spencer), Euphoria (Cassie Howard), The White Lotus (Olivia Mossbacher).
• Major Filmography Highlights: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Snake), The Voyeurs (Pippa), Reality (Reality Winner), and the romantic comedy hit Anyone But You (Bea).
• Awards & Nominations: Two-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee for her work on Euphoria and The White Lotus.

The Truth About Sydney Sweeney's Role as Julia Carpenter (Spider-Woman)

Sydney Sweeney’s casting in Madame Web was a major point of interest for Marvel and comic book fans, as it was confirmed that she would be playing Julia Carpenter. This character is a hugely significant figure in the comic books, known for taking on the mantle of the second Spider-Woman and later becoming the second Madame Web.

1. Her Character’s Comic Book Legacy

In the film, Julia Carpenter is one of three young women—alongside Mattie Franklin (Celeste O'Connor) and Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced)—who are being hunted by the villain, Ezekiel Sims. The central plot revolves around Cassandra Web (Dakota Johnson) protecting these three from a future where they are killed before they can develop their own arachnid-based powers.

While the film focuses on their civilian lives, the ending teases their future superhero personas. Julia Carpenter is shown wearing a variation of her classic Spider-Woman costume, confirming her destiny within the Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU). This foundational role sets the stage for a potential spin-off or sequel where she fully embraces the Spider-Woman identity.

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2. The Controversial Screen Time of the Spider-Suits

One of the most widely discussed aspects of Madame Web was the minimal amount of time the three future Spider-Women spent in their superhero costumes. Despite heavy marketing that featured the iconic suits, the majority of the film focused on the characters in their normal clothes.

Sweeney's character, Julia Carpenter, only appears in her Spider-Woman suit during the prophetic, flash-forward sequences. This creative decision was met with disappointment by many fans who were eager to see the full potential of the new generation of Spider-People, including Sweeney's highly-anticipated debut as a comic book hero.

The 'Strategic Business Decision' Behind The Casting

In a move that surprised many, Sydney Sweeney offered an extremely candid and pragmatic explanation for why she chose to star in the superhero film, especially in light of its poor performance at the box office.

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3. A Calculated Career Move for 'Anyone But You'

Sweeney revealed in post-release interviews that her decision to join the Madame Web cast was primarily a "strategic business decision."

She explained that by starring in a major tentpole film for Sony, she was able to build crucial relationships with studio executives. This leverage was instrumental in getting her passion project, the romantic comedy Anyone But You, greenlit and successfully distributed by Sony.

This revelation offers a unique insight into the modern dynamics of Hollywood, where actors, especially young producers like Sweeney, use high-profile franchise roles as a "building block" to secure funding and support for their own, more personal projects. The massive global success of Anyone But You, which she also executive produced, proved the wisdom of this strategic move.

4. Her Unfazed Reaction to the Box Office Flop

Following the film’s critical panning and low box office returns, Sweeney maintained a remarkably calm and grounded perspective, a reaction that was widely reported and praised for its professionalism.

When asked about the negative response, she simply stated that she was "just hired as an actor" to bring a character to life on a large-scale project.

This "I was just hired" response distanced her from the creative and directorial failures of the film, allowing her to focus on the positive experience she had on set and the career benefits the role provided. Her approach highlighted a mature understanding of the difference between her performance and the overall final product.

5. The Future of Julia Carpenter in the SSU and MCU

Despite the lukewarm reception of Madame Web, the door remains open for Sydney Sweeney’s Julia Carpenter to return. The film is part of the larger Sony's Spider-Man Universe, which includes characters like Venom and Morbius, and is loosely connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Sweeney herself has expressed enthusiasm for continuing the role, confirming her desire to see her version of Spider-Woman eventually join the main MCU timeline.

Fans are hopeful that the character will be rebooted or seamlessly integrated into a future, more successful SSU or MCU project. Given the enduring popularity of the Spider-Woman character in the comics and Sweeney’s star power, her return as Julia Carpenter is still highly anticipated by many, marking a potential long-term investment for Sony and Marvel.

Ultimately, Sydney Sweeney’s time in Madame Web was far more than just a supporting role; it was a clever, strategic move that cemented her status as a powerful young producer in Hollywood, successfully leveraging a franchise role to launch a global hit. The film may have struggled, but Sweeney's career has only accelerated since.