American Horror Story star Emma Roberts is the latest addition to the cast of the upcoming superhero film Madame Web, headlined by Dakota Johnson.
The film hails from Sony Pictures which is developing multiple projects to expand its Spider-Man universe, billed as the Sony Universe of Marvel Characters.
According to Deadline, the details about Roberts' role in the film, her first superhero movie, are under wraps.
Madame Web is believed to be an origin story for one of Spider-Man's mentors who, at least in the comics and in the cartoon, never actively fights anyone herself. Throughout her depictions, she's shown as an elderly woman suffering from myasthenia gravis, leaving her hooked up to a "web" of life support machines. However, her years of experience and clairvoyant abilities were a boon to Spider-Man. For this reason, the film is expected to make some adjustments for a more entertaining story, either showing her beginnings or changing the character altogether. According to Deadline, insiders say that it's likely she'll act as the Doctor Strange of Sony's Marvel universe given the similarities in their abilities.
S J Clarkson, who has previously worked on the Marvel series Jessica Jones and The Defenders, is directing the film.
Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless of Morbius, also part of Sony's Spider-Man universe, will write the screenplay. A previous draft of the film was also written by Kerem Sanga.
Roberts has a slew of films on the way in the near future with her just finishing production on the rom-com About Fate. She's best known for her roles in horror, however, becoming a mainstay on American Horror Story for several seasons while also appearing in Scream Queens for FOX. On the film side, she appeared in Scream 4, and she has the upcoming horror film Abandoned to look forward to which features her alongside Michael Shannon and John Gallagher Jr. She's also taken cracks at production with a credit for the Netflix hit series First Kill.
The film is scheduled to be released in theatres on July 7, 2023.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.