Starring Lopez in a dream role, Bill Condon’s musical adaptation draws acclaim at Sundance as Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions, and LD Entertainment enter final talks for U.S. release.
Hollywood, March 24: Jennifer Lopez’s passion project Kiss of the Spider Woman is nearing a major milestone, as Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate, and LD Entertainment are reportedly in final negotiations to acquire domestic distribution rights following the film’s emotional Sundance Film Festival premiere earlier this year.
Directed by Bill Condon, the film is a musical adaptation of Terrence McNally’s 1993 Broadway show, itself based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel. Condon, who also penned the script, brings the adaptation to life with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
Joining Jennifer Lopez in the cast are Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, and Tony Dovolani. The story centers on a political prisoner (Luna) whose cellmate (Tonatiuh) escapes their grim reality by imagining a glamorous Hollywood narrative featuring his favorite film star — Ingrid Luna, played by Lopez.
The film is produced by Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy, and Greg Yolen, with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon serving as executive producers under their Artists Equity banner. The project is also backed by Mohari Media.
During the Sundance premiere, an emotional Lopez addressed the audience, reflecting on her lifelong dream of starring in a musical.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” she said tearfully. “The reason I even wanted to be in this business was because my mom would sit me down in front of the TV every Thanksgiving to watch West Side Story. I was mesmerized — I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
Early reviews have praised the film’s ambition. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, critic David Rooney noted that “Condon sets himself a tough assignment trying to transform the tricky material into a great movie musical, but thanks in part to laudable work from his three leads, he occasionally comes close.”
This marks the second screen adaptation of Puig’s novel; the first, a 1985 drama starring William Hurt, Raul Julia, and Sonia Braga, earned four Oscar nominations, with Hurt winning Best Actor.
Lopez, who recently starred in 2024’s Atlas and Unstoppable, has made it clear that Kiss of the Spider Woman represents a deeply personal and creative milestone in her career.