Kiss Of The Spider Woman musical movie to star Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez is set to star in a film adaptation of the 1992 West End musical Kiss of the Spider Woman.

The film, set to be penned and helmed by Bill Condon, known for his work on Dreamgirls, draws from Terrence McNally’s adaptation of Manuel Puig’s seminal novel.

The musical features the compositions of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the duo behind Cabaret and Chicago, featuring memorable numbers such as “Dressing Them Up”, “She’s a Woman”, and the titular “Kiss of the Spider Woman”.

Set against the backdrop of an Argentinian jail in 1981, the story unfolds around Luis Molina, a gay hairdresser serving time for allegedly corrupting a minor. Through an unlikely friendship with his cellmate, Marxist Valentin Arregui Paz, Molina seeks solace in his fantasies revolving around the enchanting silver screen icon Aurora, thereby crafting an escape from the grim realities of imprisonment.

Jennifer Lopez is set star as Aurora, while the latest casting news introduces Diego Luna (Andor) as Valentin Arregui, and Tonatiuh (Carry On) as Luis Molina.

Kiss of the Spider Woman has enjoyed a storied journey from its initial workshops and productions at the State University of New York and Toronto in the early ’90s, culminating in a celebrated West End premiere at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 1992 and a Broadway debut in 1993. The Broadway run was a triumph, securing a total of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

This adaptation follows the 1985 film version of Puig’s novel, which garnered William Hurt an Oscar for his portrayal of Molina.