Jennifer Lopez to star in musical film adaptation of Kiss Of The Spider Woman

Jennifer Lopez is set to star in a new film adaptation of Kiss Of The Spider Woman.

On Wednesday Variety reported that the 54-year-old entertainer — who just appeared at ELLE’s Women in Hollywood affair — will work on the Bill Condon-directed film. 

It will be an iteration of the 1993 Broadway musical, which was based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Manuel Puig. 

The musical’s script was penned by the late Terrence McNally, and John Kander and Fred Ebb will return to handle the music for the movie.

The Bronx-bred actress will take on the lead role, playing an imaginary figure named Aurora, who was dreamed up by a jailed gay hairdresser named Luis Molina.

Jennifer Lopez is set to star in a new film adaptation of Kiss Of The Spider Woman

On Wednesday it was reported that the 54-year-old entertainer will work on the Bill Condon-directed film

On Wednesday it was reported that the 54-year-old entertainer will work on the Bill Condon-directed film

In the story, Molina is serving eight years behind bars ‘for corrupting a minor.’

The plot sees Molina imagine films starring Aurora to escape his misery while imprisoned. 

In one of the fantasized productions, Aurora embodies a spider woman who kisses her victims to kill them.

Throughout the narrative, Molina forms a connection with his cellmate, who’s a Marxist.

Rehearsals will begin in February 2024, with filming set to kick off in New Jersey in April.

It will be independently financed and casting directors are in search of an unknown actor to play Molina. 

Per Variety, the character ‘presents as an openly queer and effeminate gay man, but may be on the non-binary/trans femme spectrum.’

A film adaptation of the book was previously made in 1985 by director Héctor Babenco.

Lopez pictured with husband Ben Affleck on December 5 in Los Angeles

Lopez pictured with husband Ben Affleck on December 5 in Los Angeles

In addition to the upcoming work on Kiss of the Spider Woman, Lopez will release her ninth album, This Is Me... Now , on February 16

In addition to the upcoming work on Kiss of the Spider Woman, Lopez will release her ninth album, This Is Me… Now , on February 16 

Both the film and the Broadway show were critically acclaimed, scoring various awards and accolades. 

William Hurt, who played Molina in the feature, won an Oscar for best actor.  

Meanwhile, the musical earned a whopping seven Tony Awards, including one for best musical. 

In addition to the upcoming work on Kiss of the Spider Woman, Lopez will release her ninth album, This Is Me… Now, on February 16.

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