Diego Lunahas been tapped to join the cast of the upcoming musical version ofKiss of the Spider Woman. TheAndorstar will joinJennifer Lopezand newcomerTonatiuhin the adaptation of the acclaimed stage musical, which will be directed byBill Condon.Deadline reportsthat the project has been taken on by Artists Equity, the new studio launched byBen AffleckandMatt Damonthat made its debut with last year’s shoe-ographyAir.
Based on the 1976 novel byManuel Puig, the film is set in an Argentinian prison, during the “Dirty War” that saw the ruling military junta launch a war against the country’s political dissidents. It focuses on two cellmates; Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), a gay window dresser, and Valentin Arregui (Luna), a revolutionary. Molina is a cinephile, and maintains his sanity by fantasizing about a movie starring Ingrid Luna (Lopez) as both fashion editor Aurora and the deadly Spider Woman of the title. The two men form an unlikely bond, even as their captors try to use Molina to extract information from Valentin. Condon is an experienced hand at musical adaptations, having directedDreamgirlsandBeauty and the Beast, and written scripts forChicagoandThe Greatest Showman.
When Has ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ Been Adapted Before?
The novel was previously adapted into anacclaimed 1985 film, which starredWilliam Hurtas Luis,Raul Juliaas Valentin, andSônia Bragaas the Spider Woman; Hurt won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance. Its musical adaptation premiered in Toronto before moving to London’s West End and then Broadway. It starred the lateChita Riveraas the female lead;María Conchita AlonsoandVanessa Williamslater took on the role. The musical was well-reviewed; it won the Tony for Best Musical, and all three of its leads collected Tony Awards for their work, as well.
Condon will write and directKiss of the Spider-Woman, adapting the musical byTerrence McNally,John Kander, andFred Ebb. It will be produced byBarry Josephson,Tom KirdahyandGreg Yolen, plus Affleck and Damon for Artists Equity. Executive producers for the film includeMichael Joe,Dani Bernfeld, andKevin Halloranfor Artists Equity, Condon on behalf of 1000 Eyes, Lopez andElaine Goldsmith-Thomasfor Nuyorican Productions,D. Matt Gellerfor Josephson Entertainment, plus Luna,Pamela Thur,Sam Weisman,Daniel WeismanandMargaux Weisman.
Kiss of the Spider Womanhas yet to set a release date. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
