Entertainment reporters from the New York Daily News and The National Ledger are reporting that makers of the Spider-Man musical are looking for a “huge theater” in which to house the production. Reporters talked to Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor of Lion King fame at the premier of her new film Across the Universe. Taymor is making the Spider-Man musical with musicians Bono and The Edge from the rock band U2.
Says Taymor in the National Ledger report:
“I’m very proud of the songs that Bono and Edge wrote. It’s a real rock-and-roll musical, so we’re not worried about that aspect. We just have to find where we’re going to do it– even if we have to do it in a tent, which we’re looking into – and when. It’ll at least be a year away.”
This news comes on top of the story that has been circulating that Marilyn Manson requested a role in the Spider-Man musical because he’s such a fan of the web-slinger. “Marilyn just asked me if he could have a part in Spider-Man. The funny thing is, he really liked the music on my new movie,” Taymor said, according to a report from Bang (via stuff.co.nz).
As Newsarama cited in April from a Playbill report, the musical was scheduled for a reading back in July to determine whether it was worth staging anywhere – particularly if it was worth staging in New York. This latest news about the search for a New York home seems to indicate it’s been deemed worthy of a spot on Broadway. But let’s hope Taymor was just joking about the tent.
Man…you just can’t make this stuff up. A Spider-Man musical….with songs written by St. Bono….with Marylyn Manson begging for a part.
Could Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in their wildest imaginations ever have guessed the strange avenues their Spider-Man character would one day travel?
Comment by Mark Engblom — September 27, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
It will do as well as the Lord of the Rings musical. Geek culture doesn’t translate too well into showtunes.
Comment by justme — September 27, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
Marvel tried a Spider-Man musical many years ago…it flopped, as expected. What makes them think this will do any better? Give Marilyn Manson a bald wig and have him play The Vulture.
Comment by Matthew Smith — September 27, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
wait - spiderman 3 wasn’t a musical???
Comment by s*p rules — September 27, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Hmm, that’s a good point. We did have a lot of musical numbers in Spidey 3. A couple of them at the jazz club and Emo Peter Parker’s strut around town…
Comment by Matthew Smith — September 27, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Manson would make a perfect Morbius…
Comment by Mysterio619 — September 27, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
ugggg, but love Taymor. Brilliant eye.
Comment by jimmy palmiotti — September 27, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
“Manson would make a perfect Morbius…”
Here Here
I like the way you think.
Comment by Toneloak — September 27, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
“Give Marilyn Manson a bald wig and have him play The Vulture.”
I was thinking Aunt May.
Comment by Mark Engblom — September 27, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Already done. Or does nobody remember Spider-Man Rocks at Universal Studios?
Comment by Kyle — September 27, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
“Marvel tried a Spider-Man musical many years ago…it flopped, as expected. What makes them think this will do any better?”
Two words: Julie Taymor.
She’s one of the greatest living theatre directors, having done far more than just the Lion King. Sometimes you just have to trust an artist to take what sounds like an odd idea and make it work - who would’ve thought that Paul Thomas Anderson could make a great movie out of a romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler? Yet he did. I have faith.
Comment by Andrew — September 27, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Reminds me of THIS: http://www.antimattermultiverse.com/products/superman-musical-dvd-1975
Comment by blankpoint — September 27, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Manson would be a good Jackal and Bono, with a cheap mustache, would be a good Kraven.
Comment by Bert Duckwall — September 27, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
I don’t know if Manson realizes that this is not a movie, he has to actually play the part and be there on time every single day for a few months…
Comment by Alex Hulk — September 28, 2007 @ 10:58 am