In a highly anticipated announcement, Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate, and LD Entertainment have secured the North American distribution rights for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Directed by Bill Condon and starring Jennifer Lopez, the musical adaptation has garnered significant attention at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. A wide theatrical release is slated for this fall, aligning perfectly with the awards season schedule.

Cast Highlights and Storyline

Jennifer Lopez will be joined by Tonatiuh, who portrays Molina, a gay prisoner during the 1980s Argentine dictatorship. Molina’s character captivates his cellmate Valentín, played by Diego Luna, by recounting stories from his favorite movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman, featuring the actress Ingrid Luna, also portrayed by Lopez. The film will feature vibrant musical numbers that bring Molina’s tales to life.

Production Insights from Bill Condon

Expressing gratitude for the partnership with Roadside, Lionsgate, and LD Entertainment, Condon stated, “All of us who made this film believe it needs to be experienced in a theatre, so we’re grateful and excited to be partnering with the very talented folks at Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate Studios, and LD Entertainment to make that happen.” He also reflected on his previous successful collaboration with Lionsgate on Gods and Monsters, which won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1999.

Industry Buzz and Awards Potential

Roadside Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff praised Condon’s adaptation, remarking that it made a strong impression at Sundance. They highlighted the trio of performances by Tonatiuh, Diego Luna, and Jennifer Lopez, emphasizing the musical’s rich storytelling and its Kander and Ebb score. An extensive marketing budget has been earmarked to ensure a successful rollout of the film this fall.

Historical Context

Kiss of the Spider Woman originated as a 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig. It transitioned to an Oscar-winning film in 1985 directed by Hector Babenco, featuring acclaimed performances from William Hurt, Raul Julia, and Sonia Braga. The storyline was further adapted into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by playwright Terrence McNally and the renowned composing duo Kander and Ebb. In this latest film adaptation, Lopez takes on the role originally made famous by Chita Rivera.

Production Team and Further Details

The film’s screenplay is penned by Condon himself, with Lopez serving as an executive producer alongside Diego Luna. Production credits include Barry Josephson, Tom Kirdahy, and Greg Yolen, with additional executive producers among them Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity, alongside various other industry professionals.

The deal for this film’s distribution was negotiated by WME Independent and CAA Media Finance.