Forget about Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus and Sandman, the villain threatening the big-budget, Bono- and The Edge-scored version of “Spider-Man” is – well, no budget.
One of the producers of “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” announced earlier this week that work on the show has been suspended because of an “unexpected cash flow problem.”
“Plans necessary for this correction are in hand now and it is expected that activities, including work in the theater, will resume within the immediate future,” Hello Entertainment said in a statement.
Although no opening date has been set, the show – which reportedly has a budget somewhere north of $40 million and will be directed by Julie Taymor – is still scheduled to begin previews at the Hilton Theatre Feb. 25.
The role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man hasn’t been filled yet, but Evan Rachel Wood will star as the web-slinger’s main squeeze Mary Jane Watson and Tony Award-winning former “Cabaret” emcee Alan Cumming will step into the shoes (and killer mask!) of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin.
And for everyone out there, thinking, “Hey, aren’t Bono and the rest of the guys in U2 loaded? Why don’t they just cough up the money for the show?,” here’s a sound piece of advice from the main characters in Mel Brooks’ Broadway smash, “The Producers”:
Max Bialystock: “The two cardinal rules of producing – One: Never put your own money in the show.”
Leo Bloom: “And two?”
Max Bialystock: “NEVER PUT YOUR OWN MONEY IN THE SHOW!”